Scarlet Sunrise: What Urban Meyer said at Big Ten media days about Zach Smith's firing

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Urban Meyer speaks at Big Ten media days

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer was the center of attention at the second and final day of Big Ten media days on Tuesday, with plenty of interest in what he’d say after wide receivers coach Zach Smith was fired Monday night. Meyer had plenty to say, but here’s a to-the-point recap for those who missed it.

• Meyer said he knew about the 2009 incident while Smith was a Florida assistant, consulted with Smith and his wife (who didn’t press charges) and reported it to his superiors. “The first thing you do is tell your boss, let the experts do their jobs,” he said.
• In regards to the 2015 incidents, Meyer said he didn’t know about them and tried to look into them Monday night and found nothing. After Meyer was done with his afternoon session, two police reports surfaced for the first time. Both had Smith’s name redacted.
• Meyer declined to elaborate on why Smith was fired — whether it was because of the 2018 accusations and recent developments or because the whole history was made public.

Watch video from Big Ten media days

Ohio State brought three players to Big Ten media days — wide receiver Parris Campbell, defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones and offensive tackle Isaiah Prince. Watch video here from all three players at their individual Q&A sessions on Tuesday.

Brenda Tracy speaks to Ohio State football and hoops teams

The Ohio State football and basketball teams hosted a special guest on Tuesday, as Brenda Tracy met with both teams. Tracy is an advocate of sexual assault prevention who was raped by Oregon State football players while in college in 1998. Over the past few years — beginning with Mike Riley, the coach at Oregon State when that happened — colleges have hosted her to speak with their players about her experience.

Brian Hartline’s impact

Sources have told Lettermen Row that Brian Hartline will replace Zach Smith as Ohio State’s wide receivers coach — at least on an interim basis — for the 2018 season. Senior writer Austin Ward was asked about Hartline’s impact and included his thoughts in the Tuesday question of the day post. Here’s a portion of what he had to say about Hartline:

First of all, Hartline is already an established figure with the wideouts thanks to his previous role as a quality control assistant on offense. That provides invaluable continuity for both the staff and the players, and Hartline has already established some strong relationships with leaders like Johnnie Dixon. He’s also somebody who clearly understands the position and what it takes to become an NFL-caliber target, and that wisdom should help in the development process for the Buckeyes. And from a recruiting standpoint, that expertise figures to be pretty appealing for high-end talent that are hoping to become professionals down the road as well.

Kamryn Babb sustains torn ACL

After missing his senior season of high school with an ACL tear, Ohio State freshman wide receiver Kamryn Babb will likely miss all of the 2018 campaign after tearing the ACL in his other knee.

Meyer confirmed the injury to Lettermen Row on Tuesday at Big Ten Media Day, and Babb will now face another lengthy rehabilitation period instead of trying to crack the program’s deep rotation at wide receiver. The talented wideout has had a terrible streak of injury luck, having also broken his leg as a high school sophomore.

Marcus Hooker suspended

Meyer announced on Tuesday that freshman safety Marcus Hooker will be suspended one game because of his DUI arrest this summer. That has been a standard punishment for that offense during Meyer’s time at Ohio State. Quarterback J.T. Barrett was also suspended for one game in 2015 for his DUI arrest.

Counting down

• Ohio State season opener: 38 days
• The Game: 122 days

Twitter talk

Year 2…📽 pic.twitter.com/eL4FGnJ7pm

— CY2 (@youngchase907) July 24, 2018

Ohio State unofficial visit tomorrow, can’t wait! #GoBuckeyes #StriveForGreatness ⭕️🏈

— Walter Rouse 7️⃣5️⃣ (@wrouse19) July 25, 2018

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