Former Ohio State president Michael V. Drake recently revealed that he never planned to fire Urban Meyer following the scandal involving former assistant coach Zach Smith. Despite heavy scrutiny over Meyer’s handling of domestic violence allegations against Smith, Drake felt that Meyer’s three-game suspension was sufficient punishment. Drake admitted that the situation was personally painful and uncomfortable, but he believed that the issue had been appropriately addressed. He noted that as an institution, it was important to uphold institutional values at all times, even if mistakes were made. Drake expressed his admiration for Meyer as a coach and his reluctance to terminate him despite the controversy. The scandal ultimately led to Meyer’s resignation as Ohio State football coach at the end of the 2018 season. Drake emphasized the need for institutions to acknowledge and correct their mistakes, and to move forward despite challenges. This revelation comes as part of a larger conversation surrounding the handling of off-field issues in college football programs. Meyer’s legacy at Ohio State remains a topic of debate, but Drake’s comments shed light on the difficult decisions faced by university officials during times of crisis.
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Former Ohio State president hesitant to dismiss Urban Meyer during Zach Smith scandal
