Steve Addazio Was Aware of Issue with Ex-Ohio State Coach Zach Smith in 2009

Boston College head coach Steve Addazio said he was aware of an "issue" between Zach and Courtney Smith during their time together at Florida but denied knowing any of the specifics of the matter.

“While an assistant coach at Florida in 2009, I was aware that there was an issue in the personal life of Zach and Courtney Smith,” Addazio told the Boston Globe. “I did not know specifics, and I knew the matter was in the hands of university personnel and that the couple was involved in counseling.

“As a husband, father and coach, I have zero tolerance for domestic abuse. There is no place in our program at Boston College for any member of our staff involved in domestic violence.”

Addazio hired Zach Smith as his wide receivers coach at Temple in 2011. Smith later joined Urban Meyer's staff at Ohio State in 2012, a position he held until last month. 

Ohio State fired Smith after his ex-wife, Courtney, filed a protective order against Zach on July 20. Courtney Smith came forward with evidence of physical abuse in an interview with Brett McMurphy. She said she informed Shelley Meyer, Urban's wife, of Zach's pattern of domestic abuse in 2015.

"All the (coaches) wives knew," Courtney Smith said. "They all did. Every single one."

Ohio State placed Urban Meyer on administrative leave Aug. 1. Meyer publicly denied knowledge of the 2015 incident regarding Zach and Courtney Smith before admitting he misled the press in a statement released Friday.

“The power of what I say and how I say it, especially regarding sensitive and serious domestic issues, has never been more evident than now,” Meyer said. "Unfortunately, at Big Ten media days on July 24, I failed on many on those fronts. My intention was not to say anything inaccurate or misleading. However, I was not adequately prepared to discuss these sensitive personnel issues with the media, and I apologize for the way I handled those questions.”

Meyer said he reported the incident to authorities at Ohio State. The university is currently investigating Meyer's knowledge of the incident and whether he followed proper protocols. 

Addazio was a longtime assistant coach under Meyer at Florida.