Hey, Corch, in for a penny, in for a pound, amirite?
Former Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith, who was fired last month after a history of domestic violence allegations became public, was arrested in 2013 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a charge that was later reduced.
An officer pulled Smith over at 2:43 a.m. Feb. 23, 2013, in Dublin, Ohio, for speeding — 67 in a 50 — on State Rt. 257 at Summit View Road, about three miles south of the Columbus Zoo.
According to the Dublin Police report, which The Blade obtained through a records request, Smith was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Smith refused a breathalyzer test. The arresting officer wrote in his report he “observed Smith’s eyes to be red and glassy. There was a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle.”
Smith told the officer he was taking his passenger, Kevin Curtis, home from a bar. Smith stated he had not consumed alcohol. When Smith exited the vehicle at the officer’s request, the officer said there was still a strong odor of alcohol. During the field sobriety test, the officer wrote Smith had difficulty keeping his head straight and that an eye test had to be administered multiple times.
In the report, the officer said Smith swayed during the one leg stand test and the officer then informed Smith he knew he had been drinking. Smith then stated he consumed two or three glasses of wine with his wife, Courtney.
Smith posted a $114 bond — 10 percent of $1,140 — and was released to his father, Tim Smith, at 4:20 a.m. Tim Smith declined comment when contacted by The Blade Monday.
That sound you hear is Jeff Snook feverishly digging into how Tom Herman tipped off the Toledo Blade with the story.
There is no mention of the arrest or any of the domestic abuse allegations in Smith’s publicly released personnel file. Ohio State did not immediately reply Monday to a request for comment.
In Smith’s contract, it states, “Coach agrees to represent Ohio State positively in public and private forums and shall not engage in conduct or act in such a manner that reflects adversely on Ohio State or its athletic programs. Coach shall perform his duties and personally comport himself at all times in a manner consistent with good sportsmanship and with the high moral, ethical and academic standards of Ohio State and its Department of Athletics.”
In the termination section detailing offenses that would result in being fired for cause, the contract says, “Use or consumption by Coach of alcoholic beverages, drugs, controlled substances, steroids or other chemicals as to impair his ability to perform his duties hereunder; or failure by Coach to fully cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of any drug testing program established by Ohio State for student-athletes, as determined by Ohio State…”
And that sound you hear is someone in the Ohio State athletic office screaming, “oh, shit!”
Bet those investigators are having fun now.
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UPDATE: Brett’s back!
Now, there’s a surprise.
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UPDATE #2: Oops!
Certainly adds to Zach’s credibility…
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