The fallout from Ohio State's handling of an assistant football coach accused of multiple acts of domestic violence has now reached Boston College, where both the athletic director and head football coach have professional ties to the alleged abuser.
Last month, Ohio State fired Zach Smith, who spent six seasons as a wide receivers coach under head coach Urban Meyer, after his ex-wife, Courtney, filed a protective order against him.
Smith had been arrested in 2009 on charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant victim when he allegedly threw down his now ex-wife. The charges were eventually dropped.
In 2009, BC head coach Steve Addazio and Smith were on Meyer's coaching staff at the University of Florida.
As originally reported by The Boston Globe Saturday evening, Addazio released a statement addressing how much he knew about that incident.
"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 stated. "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. "
While head coach at Temple University in 2011, Addazio hired Smith as an assistant coach.
After BC's first football practice Friday, Addazio offered no comment when asked if he knew about Smith's 2009 arrest when he hired him at Temple.
BC's athletic director, Martin Jarmond, worked at Ohio State for seven years, where he worked closely with Meyer but did not factor into Smith's hiring. Jarmond also released a statement Saturday.
"Domestic violence is an issue we take very seriously at Boston College. As athletic director, I am committed to educating and developing our student-athletes and staff with our Jesuit values, which include zero tolerance for such behavior in any form," he stated. "I feel it would not be appropriate for me to comment on matters involving Ohio State during their ongoing investigation."
Last week, Ohio State put Meyer on administrative leave after he publicly claimed to not know about an alleged 2015 incident between Smith and his ex-wife.
Following that claim, a report from college football reporter Brett McMurphy showed evidence that refuted Meyer's statement.
Ohio State is now investigating how much Meyer knew and whether he followed proper protocols.
This article has been updated.
