Former Ohio State Assistant Zach Smith Sentenced to Jail Time After Violating Civil Protection Order

A former Ohio State assistant coach now must now face the music.

Disgraced former Buckeyes wide receivers coach Zach Smith has been sentenced to 180 days in prison and three years of probation with drug and alcohol conditions after he was arrested in May of 2019 for violating a civil protection order. He was found guilty of committing the misdemeanor in December of last year.

Former Ohio State assistant Zach Smith was sentenced today to 180 days in jail (20 days to be served forthwith), anger management, 40 hours of community service and 3yrs probation with drugs & alcohol conditions. He was found guilty of violating a civil protection order in Dec.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) February 7, 2020

As part of his sentence, Smith will also have to attend an anger management course and complete 40 hours of community service.

He had been accused of domestic violence in 2018 by his former wife, Courtney, and it was alleged that then-OSU head coach Urban Meyer knew about his pattern of behavior at the time. Smith was fired in July of 2018 following the public revelation of abuse accusations against him.

Urban Meyer bent over backward to keep Zach Smith on staff, and he never produced a 1,000-yard receiver.

The guy who replaced him, Brian Hartline, had a 1,000-yard WR last year and was just named National Recruiter of the Year in his second year as a coach. https://t.co/l8dQhzfrbx
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) February 7, 2020

Courtney Smith was granted the protection order in October 2018, and it was meant to last for three years. She feared for her safety when Smith violated it, culminating in his sentencing.

This brings a momentary pause to the ongoing drama surrounding Smith. Only time will tell if his pattern of behavior changes for the better.