Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith talks to junior wide receiver Eric Glover-Williams prior to fall camp on Aug. 5. Credit: Colin Hass-Hill | Sports Editor.
Courtney Smith, the ex-wife of former Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith, reported violent acts performed against her to the Powell Police Department, including choking, physical abuse and death threats in October 2015, according to a report from the Columbus Dispatch.
According to reporters Dean Narciso and Rita Price, Ohio State sent a lawyer to speak to Courtney Smith in her home in Powell and tried to convince her to drop the charges because, “it would embarrass OSU if she proceeded with the prosecution.”
Ohio State spokesman Chris Davey told the Columbus Dispatch the university was unaware of any allegations made and would investigate.
The Lantern reached out to Ohio State for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
According to the reports acquired by the Dispatch, Courtney Smith reported multiple incidents of domestic violence against her, including events where, “the suspect choked her until she could not breathe” and Courtney Smith telling the police, “the suspect tells her all the time that he will kill her.”
The report acquired by the Dispatch said Zach Smith’s actions against Courtney Smith stemmed from allegations she made against him that he was cheating on her with other women.
Zach Smith was fired from Ohio State on July 23 after allegations were released against him for domestic violence against his ex-wife.
