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ADs anonymously dish on Ohio State: ‘If Urban Meyer remains head coach, we’ve all lost our minds’
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The biggest development on Day 2 of the Urban Meyer situation at Ohio State was the school’s announcement of an independent board to investigate what Meyer knew about alleged domestic abuse by former assistant coach Zach Smith.
Brett McMurphy, the reporter behind the stories that seemingly put Meyer on administrative leave, reached out to 16 athletic directors to get their assessment of how OSU has handled the situation.
All ADs are attributed anonymously in McMurphy’s latest story, posted on Facebook. Multiple athletic directors praised the move.
“I think they are handling exactly like they should with an independent group. Investigation has to be from outside athletics, trustees and board. Good job putting this group together.” – AD No. 11
“It looks like a smart move in this case to provide a layer of objectivity and separation regardless of the outcome.” – AD No. 3
Others made comparisons to recent scandals at Baylor and Penn State.
“In today’s landscape, the (Ohio State) president is scared (expletive)less. The presidents and ADs were fired at Penn State and Baylor. …” – AD No. 1
“This sets up as ‘CYA’ if they want to keep him. But they are smart to have someone else adjudicate this given how Baylor and Penn State initially handled their cases (which resulted in the presidents and athletic directors getting fired).” – AD No. 16
One athletic director went as far as to declare the morality of college football at stake:
“This decision (on Meyer’s future) will be a true measure on the morality of college football in today’s landscape. That’s the reality. If he remains their coach, we’ve all lost our minds.” – AD No. 12
The full comments from all 16 athletic directors can be read in McMurphy’s post.
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.