Georgia football: Urban Meyer situation is no surprise to Bulldog fans

Georgia football is no stranger to Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. The Bulldogs played his Florida teams six times from 2005-to-2010.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is wrapped up in a scandal that may just end his head coaching career. College football insider Brett McMurphy recently reported allegations from Courtney Smith, the ex-wife of former Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith that suggest that Meyer had knowledge of a violent incident that occurred between the former couple in 2015 .

The report is based on text messages McMurphy acquired from Courtney Smith, and an interview with Smith conducted by Kristen Balboni for the Stadium.

Coach Smith was accused of domestic abuse in 2015 when he allegedly pushed his then-wife against the wall and choked her, all in front of their children who were three and five at the time. Meyer denied knowing about the incident before Smith was fired in July when the accusations came to the public. But text messages Courtney Smith showed McMurphy suggests that Meyer was more than likely aware.

The messages shown were from a group text between her and wives of other Ohio State coaches, including Shelley Meyer, wife of Urban Meyer. Shelley was responsive in the group and at one point said that she was going to tell Urban. The report also suggests that Meyer may have known about an incident between the Smith’s in 2009 when Zach Smith was an intern on Meyer’s staff at Florida.

Here’s a sample of the messages between Courtney Smith and Shelley Meyer, from McMurphy’s report:

"Shelley: “I am with you! A lot of women stay hoping it will get better. I don’t blame you! But just want u to be safe. Do you have a restraining order? He scares me”Courtney: “Restraining orders don’t do anything in Ohio-I tried to get protection order which is what started this whole investigation. And that should go through soon finally. It’s hard bc you have to prove immediate danger. Legal system is tough. Basically you have to prove he will kill u to get protective order”Shelley: “Geesh! Even w the pics? Didn’t law enforcement come to your place ever??”"

To the nation, this is shocking. Meyer, a man with three National Championships at two programs, one of the best coaches in the game, would purposefully turn a blind eye to an assistant assaulting their ex-wife. But Georgia football fans, and others around the SEC, know that this is typical of Meyer.

31 Gators were arrested during Meyer’s reign at Florida, and many other acts of violence went mostly unpunished. Even when he did punish star players, he tried to cover it up. Like in 2008 when Percy Harvin, Aaron Hernandez and Brandon Spikes were suspended for the season opener for failing drug tests. But for weeks Meyer told media that they wouldn’t play because of minor injuries. Harvin, a superstar at Florida, also went unpunished for attacking an assistant coach during a practice.

The most talked about of Meyer’s players who escaped missing playing time was Aaron Hernandez who was questioned by Gainesville Police after an alleged fight at a restaurant. The officers recommended the charge of felony battery, but the department didn’t investigate further. There’s a whole laundry list of players who were arrested for various disturbing offenses. many of whom missed very little playing time.

But the most disturbing and well-known incident to Georgia fans was the lenient treatment of Chris Rainey following his arrests for stalking and threatening an ex-girlfriend in 2010. Rainey was supposed to be charged with aggravated stalking in 2009 after allegedly texting his girlfriend “time to die bitch”. He also showed up at her house after sending other threatening messages that night, and sent other threatening messages after he left.

The charge was lowered to a misdemeanor. The woman who was the recipient of the threats said that she didn’t want Rainey to be charged with a felony and didn’t actually fear for her life. She went on to say the behavior wasn’t typical of Rainey. But she also stated that many people threatened her following Rainey’s arrest. Plus Gainesville Police arrested Rainey for striking a woman in the face in 2013.

The initial suspension was an already soft four games. But Meyer cut the suspension to just two games in time for Rainey to play in the Georgia/Florida Game. Rainey rushed for 84 yards with one score in a 34-31 overtime victory over Georgia.

To a Georgia fan, the current situation involving Meyer is no surprise. Down here in SEC Country, Meyer had a reputation for throwing out his conscience to win football games. Ohio State and Big 10 fans have also seen bits of this since Meyer took over in 2012.

It’s true, that someone should be innocent until proven guilty. If Meyer really didn’t know about the abuse in Zach and Courtney Smith’s marriage for seven years, then Ohio State shouldn’t punish him. But what about Meyer’s past gives anyone a reason to believe him? He’s refused to properly punish players for violent offenses. Are we supposed to believe that he doesn’t give coaches that same treatment?

Meyer is currently on administrative leave and an assistant is taking over head coaching duties for the time being. With the season beginning later this month. Ohio State will likely make their decision on Meyer’s future in the next few weeks.