Zach Smith blasts Brett McMurphy, Ohio State in Twitter rant
Former Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith broke his silence Tuesday, sending out a series of tweets attacking his former school for its "botched" investigation. He also targeted Brett McMurphy, the reporter who revealed the domestic violence claims against Smith by his ex-wife.
Smith started by linking to a Facebook post from his mother in which she criticizes head coach Urban Meyer for failing to support her son before turning his ire to the media for the "damage" done to his children, tagging McMurphy and ESPN reporter Paul Finebaum.
Silence = over. I tried. But I cant watch 🤡 like @Brett_McMurphy @finebaum & others at @espn continue 2 run their mouths-not only w/o knowledge but w/ complete disregard 4 my children. Their mother had plenty of disregard 4 them in this. Time 4 u all 2 face the damage ur causing
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) August 29, 2018
Not a shield. A reminder to scum like you that your reckless & complete disregard for human beings hurts innocent children. Sorry you viewed it as a shield-but that further proves your ignorance given to you by a laminated piece of cardboard hung around your neck by a lanyard. https://t.co/OyDR8PX42z
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) August 29, 2018
Smith then tweeted at McMurphy directly, questioning his reporting regarding Texas head football coach Tom Herman. Ohio State identified Herman Tuesday as the Buckeyes assistant who went with Smith to a Florida strip club when they were both assistants in 2014.
Furthermore... @Brett_McMurphy
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) August 29, 2018
3. Did you ask him about the ensuing few days?
4. Have you vetted any credibility in ANY of your reports?
I am waiting for one thing that is accurate beyond a name change or photoshop session. I will see you in court you clown.
4. They forced @OSUCoachMeyer into his statement, I hope at least... because he knows what’s real and would have never apologized.
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) August 29, 2018
5. President Drake is either the cause of the joke of an “investigation” or “punishment” or he allowed it.
Related: Meyer issues 2nd apology amid backlash from initial statement
Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith were suspended last week following an investigation into their handling of the domestic violence claims involving Smith. Meyer will be banned for three games, while Smith received a suspension from Aug. 31 to Sept. 16.
Smith continued to engage with several Twitter users over his tweets and retweeted several people supporting his actions.
It is very hard to be silent when falsehoods & half-truths are said about you and there is no way to defend yourself. I’ve made mistakes in my life but being a domestic abuser is not one of them! I’ll answer every question in court and under oath when the time comes & cant WAIT!
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) August 29, 2018