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Urban Meyer releases statement on Twitter: I regret my failure to manage a troubled employee
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Urban Meyer has become somewhat of a savant at issuing statements on Twitter. Over the course of the last month, he’s issued a couple in an attempt to clarify his mistakes in the situation involving Zach Smith, and apologizing to domestic violence survivor Courtney Smith, as well.
On Monday morning, as Meyer returns as Ohio State’s head football coach, he issued another statement.
First, Meyer addressed the success of the team and thanked interim head coach Ryan Day for taking over in such a tough position. But the remainder of the statement was meant to reflect on the mistakes Meyer made involving Smith.
“With respect to Zach Smith and the events that led to his termination, it’s clear I could have done a better job,” Meyer wrote. “I should have done a better job, and I’ll always regret that I didn’t. My time away form the program in August gave me a chance to reflect and it gave me a chance to learn a great deal from theses events.”
“I want to be clear: I do not — never have and never will — condone domestic abuse.”
— Urban Meyer (@CoachUrbanMeyer) September 17, 2018
Meyer also continued to say that he apologizes for his mistake at B1G Media Days in July, when he appeared to have lied about the domestic violence arrest of Smith. Ohio State determined that Meyer did not “deliberately lie” at the event.
“I sincerely regret my misstatement at Media Days, and my ability to adequately manage a troubled employee. It caused people to question my commitment to our core value of Treating Women with Respect. And it caused them to question my honesty. For that, I’m truly sorry.”
Meyer’s statement comes just one day after ESPN aired an exclusive interview with Meyer, in which he explains what he knew about Zach and Courtney Smith and how he could’ve handled the situation better.
The three game suspension for Meyer has concluded and he will return to full coaching duties, including media availability and coaching Saturday’s game against Tulane.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB