Urban Meyer is one of the most successful college football coaches in history. Yet, at only 54 years of age, he is retiring from his post at The Ohio State University.

Why? In revealing Meyer’s plan to retire after his team plays in the Rose Bowl, OSU officials gave no reason.

There has been much speculation, some of it involving the coach’s health. He has a brain cyst that causes severe headaches.

But it would be naive to think Meyer’s decision did not have something to do with the scandal earlier this year. It involved Meyer’s failure to take decisive action against an assistant coach accused of domestic violence. OSU suspended Meyer for three games because of his inaction.

Perhaps Meyer has simply decided he has gained enough fame and made enough money to stop worrying about issues not related directly to winning football games. We may never know all the reasons for his retirement.

But OSU’s disciplinary action and Meyer’s decision send a message in collegiate athletics: Winning isn’t everything. Doing the right thing is important, too.

This is, of course, a message that should not just be for college football coaches.

Professional sports – including athletes and coaches alike – has been plagued by domestic violence and other issues for many years.

Whether it be on the collegiate level or the professional level, there should be a zero tolerance policy on not only domestic violence, but also the many, many other shenanigans in which these people are involved.

These people are in the national spotlight and should use their blessing in a more positive light, like being role models for the youth who hold them in such high regard.