Urban Updates: B1G Media Days

CHICAGO – Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer took the podium at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours after he announced the firing of wide receivers coach Zach Smith after reports of multiple domestic violence accusations surfaced. Meyer addressed the change on his coaching staff, in addition to spending time talking about his 2018 Buckeyes while at the podium. A complete breakdown of the key points can be found below and a full transcript of Meyer’s remarks can be found here.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. (Credit: Josh Winslow/BSB)

• Meyer stressed that his focus is on the current team and players moving forward.
• Meyer said he was aware of the 2009 incident regarding Smith, but not the 2015 incident. He said he has still not received any information stating that the 2015 incident occurred.
• He has avoided going into detail about why now was the right time to make a move. “The timing, it wasn’t just my decision, it was a group effort with several people I rely on.”
• Meyer said Smith was hired for his skillset initially, not his relationship to former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce, who was Smith’s grandfather.
• Moving on to football, Meyer referred to Ohio State as “a very talented team.” He said he’s anxious to see the team hit the field for fall camp, which is set to start Aug. 3.
• Meyer said the expectation at Ohio State is for the quarterback to be the best in the Big Ten. Dwayne Haskins will have a lot to live up to, especially following J.T. Barrett. “This guy is very skilled,” Meyer said in regard to Haskins, while he made the same comment in regard to backup Tate Martell.
• He noted that he wishes Ohio State had one more scholarship QB on the roster. “You’d like to have four.”
• He noted that Tuf Borland is “doing great” in his injury rehab. “He’s on course to perform this fall.”
• Meyer said Ohio State has the “best group of young coaches” that he’s had.
• Meyer said he had open conversations with Joe Burrow and the Burrow family regarding the quarterback competition this spring. He noted that the graduate transfer rule is “very fair,” giving Joe the chance to play at another school right away. Meyer also added that he does wish Burrow was still at Ohio State.
• He said he’s excited about the new redshirt rule that allows players to appear in up to four games without losing a year of eligibility, but he’s not sure exactly how Ohio State will utilize it just yet.

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