COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State has fired receivers coach Zach Smith, who was charged last week with criminal trespass after a dispute with his ex-wife.
Coach Urban Meyer announced Smith’s dismissal in a two-sentence statement.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has announced the termination of wide receiver’s [sic] coach Zach Smith. Coaching staff adjustments will be announced at a later date. –Statement from Ohio State University Dept. of Athletics
Meyer was scheduled to speak to reporters at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday.
The move came after multiple media outlets reported that Smith’s ex-wife has filed for a protective order against him.
At the time of the trespass charge on May 12, Zach Smith’s attorney said Smith’s ex-wife accused him of driving to her apartment after she told him they would meet elsewhere so he could drop off their son.
Smith is the grandson of former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce. He had been on the Buckeyes’ staff since Meyer arrived in 2012, and he previously worked as a graduate assistant under Meyer at Florida.