The verdict is in for Ohio State, and its football coach, Urban Meyer — and the results are exactly what you’d expect them to be.

By Neil Harrington

Ohio State really laid down the hammer on its ole ball coach following its investigation on former assistant coach Zach Smith, and Urban Meyer’s involvement in covering up the former’s (domestic abuse) crimes.

It’s crystal clear that investigators found wrongdoing, due to the fact that Urban Meyer is suspended for the first three games of the 2018 NCAA football season, and receiving a dockage of pay for six of them.

Well, suspended is such a loose term in this situation. Meyer will be able to coach the final two games of his suspension, and ironically, the three contests he’s “missing” are the easier opponents on Ohio State’s schedule — go figure.

Terrelle Pryor: suspended 5 games for selling gear in exchange for tattoos

Todd Gurley: suspended 4 games for accepting $3,000 to autograph memorabilia

9 UNC football players: suspended 4 games for selling sneakers in exchange for up to $2,500

Urban Meyer: suspended 3 games

— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) August 23, 2018

During the press-conference, Ohio State President Michael V. Drake stated that Urban Meyer “did not and does condone domestic abuse,” while in the same breath revealed that Meyer failed to live up to the Ohio State standards regarding his handling of Zach Smith’s horrific crimes.

So, which is it? It can’t be both, Mr. Drake. Condoning domestic abuse also includes turning a blind eye to the situation and/or protecting said abuser — which Meyer clearly did, according to the investigation.

What Urban uttered in regards to Zach Smith’s wife, Courtney; when asked by reporters at the said presser is quite telling and even more despicable — displaying the true character of the ole’ ball coach.

“I have a message for everyone involved. I’m sorry we’re in this situation.”

No mention of Courtney, Urb? You have a message for everyone involved, except for the one person that truly matters — the one who has suffered the most?

What a joke.

If Meyer genuinely does not condone domestic abuse, she should have been something to the effect of:

“I’m deeply troubled by the pain Zach (Smith) caused to Courtney, and I’m truly sorry for my involvement in covering up his crime — which I now regret. I wish I could take it all back.”

Nope. Instead, Meyer is unapologetic and is only sorry that he was caught in a cloud of lies.

The report concludes that Meyer even tampered with his cell phone and text messages regarding Smith.

 The media could get access to Coach Meyer’s phone and specifically discussed how to adjust the settings on Meyer’s phone so that text messages older than one year would be deleted

Meyer’s guilt is clear as day, yet, his punishment is solely a slap on the wrist. The Ohio State football program makes the NCAA and the university loads of money each season.

Firing Meyer would have been the just and correct course of action by “the” Ohio State. However, doing so would forfeit the cash cow and well-oiled machine of money flowing their way.

Well done, Ohio State. Bravo.

Next Post: NFL rule changes are going to raise your blood pressure.

In the words of former USC great LenDale White.

Ohio State still sucks.