Writer claims Tom Herman tipped off reporter to Ohio State scandal
An Ohio State writer dropped a bombshell report on Saturday in which he claims that Texas coach Tom Herman tipped off reporter Brett McMurphy about Zach Smith’s alleged history of abusing his ex-wife.
Jeff Snook, who is a graduate of Ohio State and has written books about the Buckeyes football program, wrote on his Facebook page Saturday that Herman is the one who got the ball rolling by tipping off McMurphy. He alleges that Herman pushed Courtney Smith to come forward about her claims because of a grudge over losing a recruiting battle for a five-star wide receiver, who committed to Smith at Ohio State rather than Herman at Texas.
Herman was an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Ohio State from 2012-2014 under Urban Meyer. Smith was also on the staff. Herman’s wife Michelle and Courtney Smith are said to have become friends during that time and supposedly remain close.
Herman was asked about the matters at Ohio State last week and declined to comment:
Here is Tom Herman's response when asked about the Ohio State situation nine days ago. He quite firmly declined to comment. pic.twitter.com/5yJ2G7PU6z
— Kevin Harrish (@Kevinish) August 11, 2018
Herman and Meyer had a public exchange last year when Meyer was critical of Herman for blaming Texas’ previous regime for leaving him a program without talent.
Snook has been writing in defense of Ohio State on the matter. He wrote a story on Thursday on Facebook where he used Zach Smith’s mother as his primary source. The story press forward with a claim that Courtney Smith vowed revenge on Zach for him cheating on her. The mother even claimed that Courtney’s mother did not believe her daughter’s abuse claims.
Reporter Brett McMurphy countered that, saying Carano detailed Zach Smith’s repeated abuse of Courtney.
Tina Carano, Courtney Smith’s estranged mother, confirmed to me on Saturday she sent text messages to Zach Smith detailing his repeated abuse of Courtney. This contradicts what Carano said in an interview Thursday https://t.co/m1igbKIEpx
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 11, 2018
Meyer is currently on paid administrative leave as Ohio State investigates the situation. Zach Smith was fired the night McMurphy reported about the protective order against him.
