CHICAGO ​— While most coaches were talking about their teams for the upcoming season, there was still some news that broke at Big Ten media days on July 24.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer fired wide-receiver coach Zach Smith on July 23 after a domestic-violence allegation was reported.

It wasn’t the first time Smith has been accused. While on Meyer’s staff at Florida in 2009, Smith was charged with aggravated battery on his pregnant wife, said reporter Brett McMurphy. But after finding a different understanding, Meyer kept him on his staff.

“In 2009, Zach was an intern, a very young couple,” Meyer said. “As I do many times, most coaches and people in leadership positions, you receive a phone call, first thing you do is tell your boss, let the experts do their jobs. We’re certainly not going to investigate. It came back to me that what was reported wasn’t actually what happened. And [wife] Shelley and I actually both got involved because of our relationship with that family and advised for counseling and wanted to help as we moved forward.”

There has been talk that former Buckeye and Miami Dolphin wide receiver Brian Hartline — who joined Meyer’s staff as a coaching intern in 2017 — will replace Smith, although Meyer said it is just speculation and he will make an official announcement of his plans by the end of the week.

Big (Ten) rule changes

When Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials Bill Carollo took the podium in Chicago, he announced some changes to the current rules.

After speaking on compliant uniforms, Carollo said there will be a 40-second play clock started immediately after a touchdown and after a kickoff to help speed up pace of play.

It is also now illegal for an offensive player to block low when they are five yards or more downfield, as on punts and kickoffs.

Finally, if a player calls for a fair catch inside the 25-yard line on a kickoff, the play will be blown dead and the ball will be placed at the 25, essentially eliminating pooch kicks.

But there are no changes to the targeting rule, however. Because player safety is the No. 1 concern, Carollo said, officials are comfortable with where the rule stands, erring on the side of safety.

Carollo said the number of targeting calls rose to 25 in 2017; there were 16 in 2016.

“I think we’ve done a better job at recognizing targeting on the field,” Carollo said. “And I think because last year we’ve put into the rules that the replay, if we do miss it on the field, that targeting can be created in replay. Officiating is not a perfect science, but we’re confident that our staff today is properly prepared and ready for the challenge for 2018.”

Maryland playing for McNair

The Terrapins will be a team playing with a heavy heart this season, following the death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair.

He died last month after being hospitalized following an organized team workout and receiving a liver transplant.

According to his family, McNair’s death was caused by heat stroke.

“Jordan was a special member of our team,” Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin said. “He had a unique way about him that was infectious to his teammates. He was loved by everyone. And we have a team that’s all working through the grieving process together.

“You have 105 guys with different personalities and background and all dealing with it in a different way. I’m proud how they’ve come together and worked. I think these past couple of weeks, we’ve had some really good time together. I think it’s been helpful to be together.”