[CTcard]

I just feel like you are likely to win the bet if you take the cynical, "winning is all that matters" side of any bet when it comes to Ohio State and many others.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

If the coach involved was "Coach X". I would for sure agree with you. However, Urban Meyer has a reputation. His reputation makes his "plausible deniability" much less plausible to the average man on the street. Not fair perhaps, but certainly true. That may be enough to make tOSU feel they can't just ignore it. Undoubtedly the "investigation" will have to play out, but I would not be surprised if a "mutual parting of ways" is reached before the final report is made. It may just be easier that way for all concerned.

Some thoughts … 

- Ohio State is a ton of different people, with different views of ethics, role of football, etc. 
I suspect there is a large contingent at the university in various stages of outrage over the matter. Of course, there is also a large contingent that views "futball ueber alles", though that is likely more in the fanbase and alumni than on campus itself. 
There will be outside pressure on the administration in every direction on this. A little hard to tell which might be more politically powerful at this moment. And any decision risks lawsuits. 

- This will go up to the President. That is Michael Drake, a Stanford grad (class of 1973 approximately) and former UC-Irvine Chancellor. He's been at OSU since 2014. Thus he inherited Meyer as football coach. 
Mostly what I remember him for is back when our band was having its latest troubles, there were comparisons made to the OSU band where Drake had fired the band director after a critical report came out about its sexualized culture.

- The issue that is currently floating around Ohio State that will have an indirect effect on what happens to Meyer is the uproar over the claims of sexual abuse by the wrestling (and other) team doctor Richard Strauss. That scandal won't help Meyer. 

- Under Ohio State University policies, Meyer almost certainly has an obligation to report any incident he hears about that involves and employee and relationship violence. If in fact he knew about the situation with his assistant coach (as reported), then I don't know how he gets out of that one. However, also almost certainly, the University policy will spell out a range of sanctions which will include termination of employment, but also several lesser measures. 
[I say "almost certainly" because I have not read OSU's policies on the matter. However, all universities have them and they don't tend to vary much on these broad issues.]

[CTcard]

I just feel like you are likely to win the bet if you take the cynical, "winning is all that matters" side of any bet when it comes to Ohio State and many others.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

If the coach involved was "Coach X". I would for sure agree with you. However, Urban Meyer has a reputation. His reputation makes his "plausible deniability" much less plausible to the average man on the street. Not fair perhaps, but certainly true. That may be enough to make tOSU feel they can't just ignore it. Undoubtedly the "investigation" will have to play out, but I would not be surprised if a "mutual parting of ways" is reached before the final report is made. It may just be easier that way for all concerned.

Some thoughts … 

- Ohio State is a ton of different people, with different views of ethics, role of football, etc. 
I suspect there is a large contingent at the university in various stages of outrage over the matter. Of course, there is also a large contingent that views "futball ueber alles", though that is likely more in the fanbase and alumni than on campus itself. 
There will be outside pressure on the administration in every direction on this. A little hard to tell which might be more politically powerful at this moment. And any decision risks lawsuits. 

- This will go up to the President. That is Michael Drake, a Stanford grad (class of 1973 approximately) and former UC-Irvine Chancellor. He's been at OSU since 2014. Thus he inherited Meyer as football coach. 
Mostly what I remember him for is back when our band was having its latest troubles, there were comparisons made to the OSU band where Drake had fired the band director after a critical report came out about its sexualized culture.

- The issue that is currently floating around Ohio State that will have an indirect effect on what happens to Meyer is the uproar over the claims of sexual abuse by the wrestling (and other) team doctor Richard Strauss. That scandal won't help Meyer. 

- Under Ohio State University policies, Meyer almost certainly has an obligation to report any incident he hears about that involves and employee and relationship violence. If in fact he knew about the situation with his assistant coach (as reported), then I don't know how he gets out of that one. However, also almost certainly, the University policy will spell out a range of sanctions which will include termination of employment, but also several lesser measures. 
[I say "almost certainly" because I have not read OSU's policies on the matter. However, all universities have them and they don't tend to vary much on these broad issues.]

[Phogge]

No sweat for OSU. Walt Harris is available.

[Phogge]

No sweat for OSU. Walt Harris is available.

[martyup]

[martyup]

[pefloresjr]

With Meyer's statement that he "failed" when he said he didn't know anything about allegations in 2015, I think he is much toastier.  Failed to tell the truth; lied.  I think I want to change my bet, but I still don't trust them to do anything more than a short suspension.  I hope they do more, I just have so little faith in football factory schools to do the right thing.  Seeing all the Penn State fans rally around Paterno broke my faith and took away my hope for better.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

With Meyer's statement that he "failed" when he said he didn't know anything about allegations in 2015, I think he is much toastier.  Failed to tell the truth; lied.  I think I want to change my bet, but I still don't trust them to do anything more than a short suspension.  I hope they do more, I just have so little faith in football factory schools to do the right thing.  Seeing all the Penn State fans rally around Paterno broke my faith and took away my hope for better.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[Goose]

I just have so little faith in football factory schools to do the right thing.  Seeing all the Penn State fans rally around Paterno broke my faith and took away my hope for better.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

The two situations are entirely different. Paterno was a respected figure who had a reputation of doing things the "right way". While that reputation in itself may not have been accurate, lots of PSU fans thought it was. When the charges against him came out, people simply didn't (or wouldn't) believe it. Urban Meyer is a different case. He has no "clean record" to back him up. Even tOSU fans know he isn't exactly an upstanding citizen. That makes the current charges very credible. Fair or not, I think that will make it lots easier for the University to get rid of him.

[Goose]

I just have so little faith in football factory schools to do the right thing.  Seeing all the Penn State fans rally around Paterno broke my faith and took away my hope for better.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

The two situations are entirely different. Paterno was a respected figure who had a reputation of doing things the "right way". While that reputation in itself may not have been accurate, lots of PSU fans thought it was. When the charges against him came out, people simply didn't (or wouldn't) believe it. Urban Meyer is a different case. He has no "clean record" to back him up. Even tOSU fans know he isn't exactly an upstanding citizen. That makes the current charges very credible. Fair or not, I think that will make it lots easier for the University to get rid of him.

[ChicagoCard]

Hey, that's one of the Cupcake Crew's props.

[ChicagoCard]

Hey, that's one of the Cupcake Crew's props.

[Phogge]

Bob Evans Restaurants cuts ties with Coach. What is a Bob Evans Restaurant? We don’t have one in Point Reyes.

[Phogge]

Bob Evans Restaurants cuts ties with Coach. What is a Bob Evans Restaurant? We don’t have one in Point Reyes.

[OutsiderFan]

Bob Evans Restaurants cuts ties with Coach. What is a Bob Evans Restaurant? We don’t have one in Point Reyes.

Dude, you haven't lived until you have gone to a Bob's, though you might die an early death by going too frequently.  Bob Evans is probably responsible for a meaningful percentage of the annual medical industrial complex GDP, as it doesn't exactly serve health food.  Though to be fair, I haven't set foot in a Bob's in since the early 2000s, so maybe they have become a bit more health conscious about their menus since.

Bob Evans Sausage & Gravy (served over Bob's biscuits) is the perfect combination of fat, cholesterol, and sodium, with just enough protein to make you feel you are getting some national value from your meal.

---

It appears these are the salient facts:

- Urban Meyer says the program has a "zero tolerance policy" about domestic violence
- Zach Smith directly told Urban Meyer about his 2015 wife fight incident (that seems to have involved a police report)
- Urban Meyer knew about the 2015 incident and reported it to his bosses, and all parties kept Smith employed thereafter, until...
- Zach Smith was fired the day before Big Ten media day on June 23, 2018
- At Big Ten media day Urban Meyer said he didn't know of the Smith incident until the day before, and when he learned, he fired him
- Zach Smith claims he had a fight with his wife, but the violence "wasn't criminal" (whatever the hell that means)
- Urban Meyer admits he made a mistake by misleading the press at Big Ten media day

Now the most important questions:

1. Why was Zach Smith retained after the 2015 incident until the day before Big Ten media day in 2018?
2. Who made the decision to keep Smith and let him go?
3. Was Meyer protecting himself, or was there a conspiracy to protect the program?


This whole situation really comes down to these three questions. You know they are really big questions because the only reason Meyer lied to the media about knowing of the 2015 incident was because he didn't want to get badgered about them. Because if he said he knew about the Smith incident in 2015 at Big Ten media day, the reporters would have hammered him with "how could you keep a women beater on your staff for three years and why did you only fire him yesterday?" Meyer, the AD, and President would be dogged by these questions until they answered, and you know "no comment" doesn't cut it. 

So when you dissect it, Meyer was doing the whole university a favor by falling hard on his sword at Big Ten media day. That, along with the later reporting, gave Ohio State the ability to suspend Meyer and launch an investigation, without everyone being dogged by this questions that probably don't have any good answers.

At the end of the day, I still believe Meyer will not come back. There is just too much baggage with this incident that really damages his credibility and potentially the university's depending on the answer to questions #2 and #3 above. Given the other sexual abuse scandals in the Big Ten in general, and Ohio State in particular, combined with Me too, the cultural climate mandates a clean break.

[OutsiderFan]

Bob Evans Restaurants cuts ties with Coach. What is a Bob Evans Restaurant? We don’t have one in Point Reyes.

Dude, you haven't lived until you have gone to a Bob's, though you might die an early death by going too frequently.  Bob Evans is probably responsible for a meaningful percentage of the annual medical industrial complex GDP, as it doesn't exactly serve health food.  Though to be fair, I haven't set foot in a Bob's in since the early 2000s, so maybe they have become a bit more health conscious about their menus since.

Bob Evans Sausage & Gravy (served over Bob's biscuits) is the perfect combination of fat, cholesterol, and sodium, with just enough protein to make you feel you are getting some national value from your meal.

---

It appears these are the salient facts:

- Urban Meyer says the program has a "zero tolerance policy" about domestic violence
- Zach Smith directly told Urban Meyer about his 2015 wife fight incident (that seems to have involved a police report)
- Urban Meyer knew about the 2015 incident and reported it to his bosses, and all parties kept Smith employed thereafter, until...
- Zach Smith was fired the day before Big Ten media day on June 23, 2018
- At Big Ten media day Urban Meyer said he didn't know of the Smith incident until the day before, and when he learned, he fired him
- Zach Smith claims he had a fight with his wife, but the violence "wasn't criminal" (whatever the hell that means)
- Urban Meyer admits he made a mistake by misleading the press at Big Ten media day

Now the most important questions:

1. Why was Zach Smith retained after the 2015 incident until the day before Big Ten media day in 2018?
2. Who made the decision to keep Smith and let him go?
3. Was Meyer protecting himself, or was there a conspiracy to protect the program?


This whole situation really comes down to these three questions. You know they are really big questions because the only reason Meyer lied to the media about knowing of the 2015 incident was because he didn't want to get badgered about them. Because if he said he knew about the Smith incident in 2015 at Big Ten media day, the reporters would have hammered him with "how could you keep a women beater on your staff for three years and why did you only fire him yesterday?" Meyer, the AD, and President would be dogged by these questions until they answered, and you know "no comment" doesn't cut it. 

So when you dissect it, Meyer was doing the whole university a favor by falling hard on his sword at Big Ten media day. That, along with the later reporting, gave Ohio State the ability to suspend Meyer and launch an investigation, without everyone being dogged by this questions that probably don't have any good answers.

At the end of the day, I still believe Meyer will not come back. There is just too much baggage with this incident that really damages his credibility and potentially the university's depending on the answer to questions #2 and #3 above. Given the other sexual abuse scandals in the Big Ten in general, and Ohio State in particular, combined with Me too, the cultural climate mandates a clean break.

[ChicagoCard]

They all look like this: 

[ChicagoCard]

They all look like this: 

[Phogge]

Thanks, but I will stick with char broiled hamburger steak at Westlake Joe’s.

[Phogge]

Thanks, but I will stick with char broiled hamburger steak at Westlake Joe’s.

[BobK]

Try the Brickhouse in my area.  

Bob Evans?  If it’s not in California it’s not real. ?

[BobK]

Try the Brickhouse in my area.  

Bob Evans?  If it’s not in California it’s not real. ?

[ChicagoCard]

It wasn't meant as a recommendation.

[ChicagoCard]

It wasn't meant as a recommendation.

[martyup]

Time is on Meyer's side here.  IMO, the more they drag it out, the less chance he will be dismissed.

According to a statement released Sunday by Ohio State, former Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson will serve as chair of the six-person working group investigating the situation. Mary Jo White, a former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, will lead the investigative team.
The investigation’s findings will be passed on to Ohio State president Michael V. Drake, who will make any decisions in consultation with the university's board of trustees, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
“Ohio State is committed to a thorough and complete investigation,” Davidson, 90, said in a statement. “We look forward to sharing the results of this investigation and any action the university may take.”
Meyer issued a statement Friday on Twitter admitting that he lied when he denied knowing about accusations of domestic abuse against Smith, who had been fired by Meyer the day before the Ohio State coach's claims at Big Ten Media Days.
Still, Meyer said, he has followed “proper reporting protocols and procedures” at Ohio State and did so in Smith's case.

[martyup]

Time is on Meyer's side here.  IMO, the more they drag it out, the less chance he will be dismissed.

According to a statement released Sunday by Ohio State, former Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson will serve as chair of the six-person working group investigating the situation. Mary Jo White, a former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, will lead the investigative team.
The investigation’s findings will be passed on to Ohio State president Michael V. Drake, who will make any decisions in consultation with the university's board of trustees, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
“Ohio State is committed to a thorough and complete investigation,” Davidson, 90, said in a statement. “We look forward to sharing the results of this investigation and any action the university may take.”
Meyer issued a statement Friday on Twitter admitting that he lied when he denied knowing about accusations of domestic abuse against Smith, who had been fired by Meyer the day before the Ohio State coach's claims at Big Ten Media Days.
Still, Meyer said, he has followed “proper reporting protocols and procedures” at Ohio State and did so in Smith's case.

[JJJ]

It gets weirder. You can't make this stuff up.

https://watchstadium.com/news/zach-smith...8-17-2018/

[JJJ]

It gets weirder. You can't make this stuff up.

https://watchstadium.com/news/zach-smith...8-17-2018/

[martyup]

If this was all a set up, boy they got him good.  Wife beater, cheater, and pervert.  Good luck with the rest of your life.

[martyup]

If this was all a set up, boy they got him good.  Wife beater, cheater, and pervert.  Good luck with the rest of your life.

[Goose]

Time is on Meyer's side here.  IMO, the more they drag it out, the less chance he will be dismissed.

Sadly, I think you are correct. Even with the reports about the assistant coach's even "stranger" behavior, the approach may be to let this blow over.  It can be said in all honesty that this may not be the worst thing Urban Meyer has ever done. Using that as the metric, he may be home free. I certainly hope tOSU will use a higher standard, but I am not counting on it.

[Goose]

Time is on Meyer's side here.  IMO, the more they drag it out, the less chance he will be dismissed.

Sadly, I think you are correct. Even with the reports about the assistant coach's even "stranger" behavior, the approach may be to let this blow over.  It can be said in all honesty that this may not be the worst thing Urban Meyer has ever done. Using that as the metric, he may be home free. I certainly hope tOSU will use a higher standard, but I am not counting on it.

[Snorlax94]

Time is on Meyer's side here.  IMO, the more they drag it out, the less chance he will be dismissed.

Sadly, I think you are correct. Even with the reports about the assistant coach's even "stranger" behavior, the approach may be to let this blow over.  It can be said in all honesty that this may not be the worst thing Urban Meyer has ever done. Using that as the metric, he may be home free. I certainly hope tOSU will use a higher standard, but I am not counting on it.

But doesn’t the article that JJJ listed mention that the university said the investigation would be completed within 14 days. That’s today. And it’s already about 5 PM central time. So maybe there is an announcement coming soon? Maybe tomorrow?

If Urban Meyer does get the boot, I think a fun question is this: what happens to him? Wouldn’t the odds on favorite be that he becomes an offensive analyst for Alabama? Maybe Alabama can make room for both Meyer and Smith?

[Snorlax94]

Time is on Meyer's side here.  IMO, the more they drag it out, the less chance he will be dismissed.

Sadly, I think you are correct. Even with the reports about the assistant coach's even "stranger" behavior, the approach may be to let this blow over.  It can be said in all honesty that this may not be the worst thing Urban Meyer has ever done. Using that as the metric, he may be home free. I certainly hope tOSU will use a higher standard, but I am not counting on it.

But doesn’t the article that JJJ listed mention that the university said the investigation would be completed within 14 days. That’s today. And it’s already about 5 PM central time. So maybe there is an announcement coming soon? Maybe tomorrow?

If Urban Meyer does get the boot, I think a fun question is this: what happens to him? Wouldn’t the odds on favorite be that he becomes an offensive analyst for Alabama? Maybe Alabama can make room for both Meyer and Smith?

[pefloresjr]

The article reported that the investigation was going to be finished today as planned.  The results would be sent to the university president who would likely announce a decision within a week.  Seems to conveniently correlate with getting Meyer back on the sideline in time for the season.  I predict that he will be suspended for the Oregon State game at worst.  He will probably have to take a sensitivity class of some sort.  Then they will go back to their usual routine.  I would be happy to be pleasantly surprised but I don't think I will be.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

The article reported that the investigation was going to be finished today as planned.  The results would be sent to the university president who would likely announce a decision within a week.  Seems to conveniently correlate with getting Meyer back on the sideline in time for the season.  I predict that he will be suspended for the Oregon State game at worst.  He will probably have to take a sensitivity class of some sort.  Then they will go back to their usual routine.  I would be happy to be pleasantly surprised but I don't think I will be.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[Goose]

The article reported that the investigation was going to be finished today as planned.  The results would be sent to the university president who would likely announce a decision within a week.  Seems to conveniently correlate with getting Meyer back on the sideline in time for the season.  I predict that he will be suspended for the Oregon State game at worst.  He will probably have to take a sensitivity class of some sort.  Then they will go back to their usual routine.  I would be happy to be pleasantly surprised but I don't think I will be.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

Probably, that is what will happen. I was almost going to say that it would be acceptable if it were a coach that had a clean record but somehow messed up handling this "incident". However, even that doesn't wash. This problem went on for a long time. From a professional point of view, Meyer should have simply fired the guy. He could do so without explaining why if that seemed better to him. From a personal point of view, if this guy was Meyers friend, he should have made sure the guy got some help and cleaned up his act. Doing neither, no matter what the personnel manual may say, is not acceptable. tOSU may accept it, but if they do, it says a whole lot about who they are. There are plenty of good coaches that would love to have that job. They don't need Urban Meyer, and they should prove it. This isn't about lawsuits or Title IX. It is about what kind of person you want coaching your football team.

[Goose]

The article reported that the investigation was going to be finished today as planned.  The results would be sent to the university president who would likely announce a decision within a week.  Seems to conveniently correlate with getting Meyer back on the sideline in time for the season.  I predict that he will be suspended for the Oregon State game at worst.  He will probably have to take a sensitivity class of some sort.  Then they will go back to their usual routine.  I would be happy to be pleasantly surprised but I don't think I will be.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

Probably, that is what will happen. I was almost going to say that it would be acceptable if it were a coach that had a clean record but somehow messed up handling this "incident". However, even that doesn't wash. This problem went on for a long time. From a professional point of view, Meyer should have simply fired the guy. He could do so without explaining why if that seemed better to him. From a personal point of view, if this guy was Meyers friend, he should have made sure the guy got some help and cleaned up his act. Doing neither, no matter what the personnel manual may say, is not acceptable. tOSU may accept it, but if they do, it says a whole lot about who they are. There are plenty of good coaches that would love to have that job. They don't need Urban Meyer, and they should prove it. This isn't about lawsuits or Title IX. It is about what kind of person you want coaching your football team.

[82lsju]

The article reported that the investigation was going to be finished today as planned.  The results would be sent to the university president who would likely announce a decision within a week.  Seems to conveniently correlate with getting Meyer back on the sideline in time for the season.  I predict that he will be suspended for the Oregon State game at worst.  He will probably have to take a sensitivity class of some sort.  Then they will go back to their usual routine.  I would be happy to be pleasantly surprised but I don't think I will be.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

at worst 4 games

vs OSU
vs Rutgers
@TCU
vs Tulane

more likely 2 games
back in time for @TCU

[82lsju]

The article reported that the investigation was going to be finished today as planned.  The results would be sent to the university president who would likely announce a decision within a week.  Seems to conveniently correlate with getting Meyer back on the sideline in time for the season.  I predict that he will be suspended for the Oregon State game at worst.  He will probably have to take a sensitivity class of some sort.  Then they will go back to their usual routine.  I would be happy to be pleasantly surprised but I don't think I will be.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

at worst 4 games

vs OSU
vs Rutgers
@TCU
vs Tulane

more likely 2 games
back in time for @TCU