A member of Ohio State’s board of trustees has resigned in the wake of head football coach Urban Meyer’s three-game suspension, The New York Times reported Thursday.
Jeffrey Wadworth, the trustee who stepped down, told the Times that Meyer should have received a more “profound” punishment. His suspension was handed down in the wake of an outside investigation into his handling of the employment of former wide receivers coach Zach Smith, including his response to 2015 domestic violence allegations against Smith.
“I didn’t feel that I’d seen high-integrity behavior,” Wadsworth told the Times.
According to Wadsworth, he was the only person on the 20-member board who advocated for a more severe punishment.
“Most people were concerned about whether it was a sever-game suspension or not,” he told the Times.
“To me, there was something altogether wrong about reducing it to a couple of games.”
Wadsworth is the first board member to speak publicly about the investigation and punishment for Meyer.
“The president and the board of trustees had a frank and comprehensive discussion last week,” a university statement to the Times read. “A wide variety of perspectives were expressed in reaching a consensus. Mr. Wadsworth has been an exceptionally valuable member of the board. His service to the university is deeply appreciated, and we wish him the very best.”
Meyer’s suspension began Aug. 22, the day the trustees met to discuss the results of the investigation. He had been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 1. Meyer will be reinstated Sept. 3, the Monday following Ohio State’s season opener against Oregon State. He will also be suspended for a home game against Rutgers on Sept. 8 and a game against TCU in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 15.
Athletic director Gene Smith will be suspended from Friday through Sept. 16 as a result of the investigation as well.
