Courtney Smith's lawyer: My client has never been contacted by Ohio State

Zach Smith, the school's former wide receivers coach, was sacked July 23, days after Courtney filed for a protection order against him and hours after domestic abuse allegations from 2009 and 2015 were revealed.

College football reporter Brett McMurphy, who first obtained Leveridge's statement Monday night, reported last week that Meyer was aware of the 2015 incident involving his wide receivers coach, even though he said at Big Ten media days last month that he was "never told about anything" about it. "Urban Meyer is on the hot seat and can be wrongfully fired from Ohio State", the petition states, adding, "it is up to us Buckeye Nation to help him not just for him but for THE Ohio State University and the great state of Ohio!"

Courtney Smith's attorney, Julia Leveridge, released a statement on Tuesday saying her client is a domestic violence victim and that she made "concerted efforts to press charges of domestic violence against her ex-husband".

Smith, who was also Ohio State's recruiting coordinator, was sacked on July 23, just days after reports surfaced that an order of protection had been filed against him by Courtney Smith.

Zach Smith, a grandson of late Buckeyes coach Earle Bruce, who was a mentor to Meyer, also asserted that he had never harmed her and that the head coach handled the allegations appropriately. "I said: 'That's fine, you should tell Urban".

On July 24, Meyer had denied knowledge of Zach Smith's alleged 2015 abuse while acknowledging he knew of Smith's alleged 2009 abuse that occurred while Smith was on Meyer's staff at the University of Florida.

Meyer admitted Friday that he knew of both alleged incidents at the time and "followed proper reporting protocols and procedures", acknowledging that his recent statements were inaccurate.

After Courtney Smith went public last week, claiming she had told Meyer's wife Shelley about the abuse in 2015, the Buckeyes head coach changed his story in a statement.

"Ohio State is committed to a thorough and complete investigation".

The Buckeyes open the season September 1.

Recommended:

• 

  10 August 2018

  The World Ends With You Final Remix out October 25

  Since neither company managed to reach 104, they have failed the mission and now face erasure. The World Ends with You: Final Remix hits Nintendo Switch on October 12.
  

  10 August 2018

  Jurgen Klopp not ruling out Deadline Day business for Liverpool

  Klopp has not ruled out captain Jordan Henderson featuring on Sunday despite only returning to training at the weekend. Liverpool come into the season full of confidence, backed by the big spend of Jurgen Klopp throughout the window.
  

  09 August 2018

  Original Aerosmith tour van found buried in MA woods

  A van used by Aerosmith during a tour of New England in the 1970s has been found abandoned in the woods of a small town in MA . Proving that you're never too old to rock n' roll, Tabano was even willing to recreate his pose in the photo for the episode.
• 

  10 August 2018

  Ian Wright: Why Liverpool FC can beat Man City to title

  Across the city at United, grumbly Jose Mourinho seems to have a huge battle on his hands to raise a smile, let alone a challenge. The way in which United are being talked about this pre-season, it's as if they've got a load of bums playing for them.
  

  10 August 2018

  Pregnant mother and child killed as conflict between Israel, Hamas escalates

  The military said that the Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted at least 30 rockets and the majority landed in open areas. According to the Jerusalem Post , more than 200 rockets and mortars were launched since August 8, leaving 28 Israelis injured.
  

  10 August 2018

  Carolina Panthers: Top players to watch against Buffalo Bills

  While Newton seemed initially friendly during the meeting, neither man was smiling as Benjamin started to walk away from him. When Benjamin left Newton hanging, Newton asked for privacy and had an apparent argument with his former teammate.
• 

  10 August 2018

  "We can't afford Milinkovic-Savic" admits Milan boss Leonardo

  In order to do so, the Red Devils will have to smash their transfer record, with Lazio demanding €155 million for their prized asset.
  

  10 August 2018

  China ahead of United States in 5G race

  The report indicates that China has managed to deploy ten times more sites to support 5G communications than the United States . In the meantime, Deloitte says, China and other countries are "creating a 5G tsunami".
  

  10 August 2018

  Japan med school confirms altering scores to limit women

  Entrance exam discrimination against women was "absolutely unacceptable", Education Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters last week.
• 

  10 August 2018

  Abby Huntsman Leaving Fox News to Join The View

  ABC has not commented on the news. " The View " finished its 2017-18 season on a ratings roll, averaging 2.9 million viewers per day.
  

  10 August 2018

  Brad Pitt hits back at Angelina Jolie's child support claims

  Pitt's attorneys said the filing was utterly unnecessary and "a thinly veiled effort to manipulate media coverage" of the split. Angelina Jolie , left, and Brad Pitt arrive at the 2015 AFI Fest opening night premiere of "By The Sea" in Los Angeles.
  

  10 August 2018

  The Perseid meteor shower is going to be wonderful this weekend

  Although, stargazers in mid-northern latitudes will be privy to the best views, according to NASA , anyone can see the light show. We've rounded up everything you need to know about the Perseids meteor shower, including how and where to watch them.