CFB notebook: OSU's Meyer defends himself on Twitter

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who has been placed on paid administrative leave, took to Twitter on Friday to defend himself against charges that he mishandled a domestic violence allegation. The university put Meyer on leave Thursday, hours after a report surfaced claiming that he was aware assistant coach Zach Smith had been accused of abusing his then-wife in 2015. Meyer's statement read in part: "Here is the truth: While at the University of Florida, and now at The Ohio State University, I have always followed proper reporting protocols and procedures when I have learned of an incident involving a student-athlete, coach or member of our staff by elevating issues to the proper channels. And I did so regarding the Zach Smith incident in 2015. I take that responsibility very seriously and any suggestion to the contrary is simply false." However, Meyer also admitted that he "failed on many fronts" when answering questions about the incident initially. "My intention was not to say anything inaccurate or misleading," he added in the lengthy statement. "However, I was not adequately prepared to discuss these sensitive personnel issues with the media, and I apologize for the way I handled those questions. " ... I understand that there are more questions to be answered, and I look forward to doing just that with the independent investigators retained by the university and I will cooperate fully with them. At the appropriate time, I will also address the questions and speculation in a public forum, but for now out of respect to the ongoing inquiry, I will refrain at this time." Meyer concluded his statement by saying he is confident he will be reinstated and expects to rejoin his team. -- After Ohio State coach Urban Meyer released a statement on Friday about his knowledge of alleged domestic abuse by assistant Zach Smith, the fired former wide receivers coach said in a radio interview later in the day that he did not physically harm his former wife and that school officials knew about the 2015 allegations. Smith, speaking publicly for the first time since his firing last week after a published report detailed alleged incidents involving his ex-wife Courtney, he told 105.7 The Zone in Columbus that Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith were aware of what went on three years ago. In fact, he said he was called by Gene Smith in 2015 while on a recruiting trip and told to return to campus after the Ohio State athletic department apparently received information from the Powell police in suburban Columbus. "I wasn't a great husband," Zach Smith said in the radio interview. "We got divorced because of it. The only thing that needs to be cleared up is the fact there was never domestic abuse. I never hit her, never got arrested, never got charged. It got investigated twice and no charges came about because I didn't do anything physically to harm her." ESPN also interviewed Smith on Friday and he said it would be "flat wrong" to fire Meyer, who remains on paid administrative leave. As far as Meyer's knowledge of what happened, Smith said everyone surrounding the Ohio State football program knew about his marital issues. But he felt he didn't need to burden Meyer with his problems. "I felt it was my private life and didn't feel it was his problem to deal with because it was a marital problem I had," Smith said. But Meyer did have knowledge of Smith's situation, despite comments to the contrary during the Big Ten media kickoff days in July. Smith had told Meyer in 2015 that he did not physically abuse Courtney. He said Meyer warned him, "I swear to God, Zach, if I found out you hit her, you're done, you're fired." -- Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal and offensive line coach John Schlarman are dealing with health problems, coach Mark Stoops revealed Friday. Stoops said Paschal is battling skin cancer on one of his feet. The malignant melanoma was diagnosed after he underwent a medical procedure last week to remove lesions. Meanwhile, Schlarman has an "undisclosed medical issue," Stoops said, but there were no other details about the assistant coach's condition. Paschal was considered a potential starter this year after moving from linebacker to defensive end. As a freshman last year, he finished with 17 tackles and 3.5 sacks. No indication was given when Paschal might return to the team. Schlarman is in his sixth season at Kentucky, his alma mater. He will continue coaching during the Wildcats' preseason camp but may have to step away at certain points to address the medical issue. --Louisville opened fall camp on Friday without senior wide receiver Jaylen Smith, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier in the day, the school announced. Smith, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team selection last season, will be out for an undermined period, according to the university statement. "We are fortunate to catch this early and anticipate a full recovery," coach Bobby Petrino said. "Jaylen is doing well and we look forward to him returning to the practice field as soon as possible." Quarterback Jawon Pass is replacing Heisman Trophy-winner Lamar Jackson this season and Smith is expected to be his top receiver, and possibly the Cardinals' No. 1 offensive weapon. Jackson caught 60 passes for 980 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games last season, and for his career he has 116 catches for 1,955 yards and 14 scores. --Michigan tight end Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is no longer with the team, the Detroit News reported. A team spokesman told the newspaper that Wheatley made his decision on Thursday, one day before the start of the Wolverines' training camp. Wheatley, the son of former Wolverines running back Tyrone Wheatley, suffered a broken foot in March that sidelined him for the remainder of the spring. Wheatley's father, who coached for two seasons under current Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, told the newspaper he would back his son's decision. "He made the decision, and I support him. Nothing more, nothing less," the elder Wheatley said. "I told him, 'You're 21, you're a grown man. You know what's best for you, and I support you.'" The younger Wheatley had redshirted as a true freshman in 2015 and reeled in only three catches in back-to-back seasons. He has totaled 61 receiving yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound was utilized mainly in a blocking role at Michigan. It's unclear if he is planning to transfer. "I haven't really spoken to him," said his father, now a coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. "He said what he's going to do, and I'm going along with it. At the end of the day, I told him he doesn't have to discuss it or talk to anyone about it. I support him. For me, family is first."