Urban Meyer tweets apology for his apology to Courtney Smith

This could be the very definition of too little, too late.

Two days after a press conference during which he did not address Courtney Smith by name, Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer tweeted a statement Friday apologizing to the victim of the scandal that resulted in his three-game suspension.

The apology came after a firestorm in response to his perceived lack of empathy and consideration at Wednesday’s press conference, and addressed head-on the seriousness of the accusations against former Ohio State assistant Zach Smith.

“I sincerely apologize to Courtney Smith and her children for what they have gone through,” Meyer’s statement said.

Meyer on Wednesday spoke to the media following a three-game suspension handed down following the university’s investigation into how the football program handled the allegations against Zach Smith, which included domestic violence as well as sexual relations with a member of the football staff and much more, as well as Meyer’s involvement overall.

The accusations go as far back as 2009, though Meyer was not hired until 2011.

Meyer’s statement addressed his commitment to keeping violence out of the Buckeyes’ football program:

“I was taught at a very young age that if I ever hit a woman, I would be kicked out of the house and never welcomed back. I have the same rule in my house and in the Football Program at Ohio State.”

The story will certainly follow Meyer and Buckeyes football into the NCAA football season and beyond, especially considering the initial reaction to Meyer’s attitude at the press conference.

“My words and demeanor on Wednesday did not show how seriously I take relationship violence,” Meyer’s statement said. That might not be enough to satisfy detractors of the beleaguered coach.