Urban Meyer timeline: What led Ohio State to put him on administrative leave

UPDATE: Thursday, the university's board of trustees formed a special, independent board working group related to the investigation. This group includes current trustees Alex Fischer, Janet Porter and Alex Shumate. Also on the panel are former Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, former acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Craig Morford and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Carter Stewart.

The special working group will direct the work of the investigative team and be available to provide consultation and advice and assist with communication to the full board on the matter.

Here is what you need to know to get caught up on the story:

1. The story originates from an incident in 2009 between a Meyer protege and his then-girlfriend. 

Zach Smith, a former Bowling Green player for Meyer who joined his staff at Florida in the late ‘00s as a graduate assistant, was accused of violence against his pregnant girlfriend in Gainesville.

Meyer acknowledged that along with his wife, Shelley, he provided counseling for the couple, who eventually got married and had two children.

2. Another alleged incident in 2015 is the catalyst for the current controversy. 

National college football reporter Brett McMurphy reported Wednesday that Courtney Smith told Shelley Meyer she was still being abused by Zach Smith in 2015.

McMurphy relayed texts between the two women as well as texts between Courtney Smith and the wife of another OSU staffer indicating Urban Meyer had talked to Zach Smith about the abuse.

However, McMurphy said during an appearance on ESPN late Wednesday night he had no direct evidence Meyer was told of the 2015 allegations.

In an interview with Stadium, Courtney Smith said Shelley Meyer had told her she would have to tell her husband, but Smith was unaware if that actually happened.

3. Zach Smith was fired July 23 after violating a civil protection order. 

That stemmed from a disagreement over where the couple would exchange their son on May 12.

When it became public, Smith was terminated.

He faces an Aug. 3 court date in Delaware County (northern Columbus suburbs) regarding that charge.

Cleveland.com obtained nine reports from Powell, Ohio, police filed between Jan. 1, 2012 and late July, none of which resulted in charges being filed until the May 12 incident.

4. Urban Meyer explained July 24 what he knew and when. 

In a previously scheduled appearance at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, Meyer said he knew of the 2009 incident but not of 2015. Furthermore, he reported being told by staffers who looked into the latter event nothing happened.

That statement has been the source of controversy this week in the wake of McMurphy’s report.

According to McMurphy, records from the Smith’s divorce were sealed until Wednesday morning at the request of Zach Smith, who wished to protect his employment.

Courtney Smith told Stadium she had told the families of the former couple about the abuse she suffered but was encouraged not to involve law enforcement.

5. Ryan Day named interim coach. 

Several hours after McMurphy's report and the publication of Courtney Smith's interview with Stadium, Ohio State announced Meyer had been placed on paid administrative leave.

The Buckeyes are set to begin preseason practice Friday afternoon with Ryan Day, the team's quarterbacks coach and one of its offensive coordinators, serving as the interim head coach.

How long the investigation of this matter will go is unknown.

Ohio State’s first game is Sept. 1 at home against Oregon State.