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Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Urban Meyer: 'I hope he can get his reputation back'

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and his wife Shelley endorsed Gov. John Kasich’s 2016 presidential run. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and his wife Shelley endorsed Gov. John Kasich’s 2016 presidential run. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) wants to see Ohio State coach Urban Meyer “back on top again” after the findings of the investigation into the way the football program handled allegations of domestic abuse are revealed.

The Ohio State Board of Trustees is set to meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday to be briefed on the investigators’ report. The investigation into whether Meyer handled a 2015 accusation of domestic violence against former wide receivers coach Zach Smith concluded Sunday.

Meyer was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 1. The board is expected to make a decision on Meyer’s status by the end of the week according to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel.

Kasich, an Ohio State alum, is hoping for an outcome that’s good for Meyer.

“So, I hope this will all be resolved. I hope that he’s going to be in a position where he can — this has been difficult, I’m sure, for he and his family — I hope can get his reputation back because it’s been damaged and it might not be fair,” Kasich told the Dayton Daily News. “And I want him to be back on top again. I don’t root against people.”

Meyer endorsed Kasich when the governor unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

Meyer’s actions regarding the 2015 accusation against Smith were questioned in late July. Ohio State fired Smith on July 23 after the accusation, along with one from 2009 when Smith worked for Meyer at Florida, was revealed. The accusations came to light after Smith’s ex-wife Courtney obtained a protection order against him on July 20.

Meyer initially denied he knew Courtney accused Zach of abuse three years ago and said he didn’t know why someone would make up a report like that. Two days after he was placed on administrative leave, Meyer issued a statement that said he knew of the allegation at the time and reported it to the proper channels.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.