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Zach Smith may have outed Tom Herman as the unnamed Ohio State assistant football coach who accompanied him to a strip club during a 2014 high school recruiting trip ... and it's all on his IG.

The incident was mentioned in the OSU investigation report into Urban Meyer -- which says Smith "ran up a significant bill at a local strip club along with another OSU football coach" in Florida on May 8, 2014.

Because Smith was on an official OSU recruiting trip -- and at least one high school football coach was also at the club -- Meyer reprimanded Smith and threatened to fire him if it happened again.

The report did not identify the other OSU coach -- but Smith's Instagram page may hold the clue. On May 7, 2014 Smith posted about being in Florida with Tom Herman.

Plus, Lettermen Row -- a news website covering Ohio State athletics -- is citing multiple sources confirming Herman was the mystery strip club buddy.

Unclear if Herman was ever punished for the incident.

After leaving Ohio State, Herman went on to take the head coaching job at the University of Houston where he had great success. He has since become the head coach at the University of Texas.

TMZ Sports has obtained the Richie Incognito 911 call made by a funeral home staffer Monday who was clearly in fear for her life -- when the NFL star allegedly threatened to shoot the funeral director at a mortuary in Arizona.

The staffer made the call in secret because she didn't want to "escalate the situation" -- and while she's cool, calm and collected on the phone, it's obvious everyone inside the building was scared.

"We have somebody that we're very afraid of right now," the staffer told the 911 operator.

"He made a gesture at one of our funeral directors and told him he was gonna kill him."

The staffer also noted that Richie claimed to have guns in his truck.

The 911 operator said a squad of officers were racing to the scene and explained, "We're very familiar with [Richie]. We've been dealing with him for the last couple of days."

When cops arrived, Richie was arrested at gunpoint -- and officers DID find a cache of weapons and a silencer in his Ford Raptor.

Richie was at the funeral home to view his father, who had passed away suddenly.

Incognito's attorney has previously told TMZ Sports the death has been "traumatic" for Richie and the entire family.

Baltimore Ravens safety Eric Weddle says it's RIDICULOUS the NFL just hit Jimmy Smith with a 4-game suspension for "arguing" with his ex-girlfriend ... considering the incident never turned physical.

"It’s hard to fathom arguing with your [significant other], never touching her and that gets you a suspension like this," Weddle told the Baltimore Sun.

Smith was punished by the league after an investigation showed he used "threatening and emotionally abusive behavior" directed at his ex-girlfriend. Smith claims he never touched her.

Weddle and Smith are friends -- and Weddle says he knows there was "never a physical confrontation."

"I know details of it that I can’t get into, so I just feel bad for him. And it’s hard for a guy put into that spot, where he can’t really stand up for himself and tell the truth. Because if he does, it’ll be a lot worse in the grand scheme of things.”

Weddle claims the league is overreacting because they're afraid of another Ray Rice situation -- where a TMZ Sports video later shows the incident was MUCH worse than what was initially reported.

"Everybody goes back to Ray Rice and the video coming out, and they don’t want that to happen," Weddle said ... "I know for sure that was obviously on their mind."

Weddle says the most frustrating part to this is that other guys in the league are "getting DUIs or physically abusing other people, and they never get near this [penalty]."

LaDainian Tomlinson says it's not even a debate in his mind -- if he's Todd Bowles, Teddy Bridgewater is the starting QB on opening day for the NY Jets.

Darnold -- the #3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft -- has been solid in the pre-season ... showing real potential, despite his inexperience.

On the other hand, Teddy Bridgewater has been a STUD after coming back from one of the worst knee injuries in the history of the league.

The race for the starting job has been neck and neck -- and the team hasn't made an official announcement as to who will start Week 1.

But, LT says it's an easy decision for him ... ya gotta go with Teddy B. But, he's not throwing shade at Darnold.

BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz is NOT throwing in the towel on Kobe Bryant playing in his league next season -- telling TMZ Sports he trusts his source.

After Kobe's rep shot down Jeff's previous claim that he'd be suiting up for the 2019 season, we saw JK out in NYC ... and he made it clear he's not backing down.

"There's no mix-up. Someone who's a good source, who I'm not gonna reveal, says he's gonna play."

Jeff acknowledges Kobe's been telling people it's not true -- but Kwatinetz doesn't believe it's a hard pass ... at least not yet.

"Every year we have guys who say they're not gonna play who end up playing," Jeff said ... adding, "I don't know that he's not coming. I'll know in February. I think that's the truth."

Jeff also said he's spoken with Jason Terry -- who said he WILL play next season.

"I'm the source on that one because he told me himself."

As we previously reported, Molly Carter -- who runs Kobe, Inc. -- told TMZ Sports he's "100%" not playing in the BIG3. Vanessa Bryant also claimed Kobe is done playing basketball.

Mike Trout is opening up on the passing of his brother-in-law ... saying, "You brought so much happiness and joy to my life every time I was with you."

The best player in baseball stepped away from the Angels a week and a half ago to mourn the loss of his wife's 24-year-old brother, Aaron Cox -- who was a former baseball player himself.

No details on the death have been given ... but Trout's message Thursday emphasized how much Aaron meant to the two-time MVP.

"Aaron, words can’t describe the emotions that I’ve been feeling the past week and a half. You were more than just my brother-in-law... you were my best friend," Trout wrote.

"You made such an impact on my life since the day I first met you. You were an amazing person inside & out that showed us all how to live life to the fullest. Seeing and hearing about your impact on other people are all things that made me a better person every single day."

Trout says the two shared plenty of memories together ... including hunting, golfing and fishing trips.

"You were a great kid and it kills me to know that you are gone... I can’t thank you enough for what you have meant to me over these last 11 years. I know you will be watching over me now that you are gone, I promise to take care of your sister and watch over your whole family."

"Heaven got a great one and I know I will see you again someday... I love you bro!!!!"

Drake and Odell Beckham Jr. watched as Kourtney's ex, Younes Bendjima, viciously beat a man outside a West Hollywood restaurant ... and TMZ has the video.

It went down March 24 at Delilah restaurant at 2:15 AM. Drake, Odell and at least a dozen other guys are leaving through the back door of the club when an employee throws open the door leading to the parking lot.

The employee mouths something to the group, which clearly pisses them off, and Younes delivers a flurry of punches to the employee's head. Another member of the crew jumps in and delivers his own series of punches as the victim appears to go down. Younes grabs the guy's hair and continues the assault.

A source who was there tells TMZ the victim "talked smack" as he opened the door for the group.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the employee filed a police report, but changed his mind and decided not to pursue the matter.

Ohio Senator Rob Portman says he has tons of respect for the investigators in the Urban Meyer case -- and believes the suspension was the result of a "fair process."'

"I respect the process that went through," Portman told TMZ Sports in D.C. on Thursday ... "They had an investigation. Mary Jo White headed it up. She's got a lot of respect."

When asked if he felt the 3-game suspension was too light considering the case involved domestic violence -- the 62-year-old Republican told us he trusts the judgment of the OSU board.

"I don't know all the details, so you have to respect the process and say, 'Was it a fair process?' And, I think it was."

We also brought up Jim Tressel -- the former Ohio State football coach who got the ax in 2011 for not properly reporting OSU players who were receiving improper benefits from a tattoo parlor.

Johnny Manziel says he's feeling a helluva lot better after taking that BRUTAL hit in a CFL game earlier this month ... but he doesn't know if he'll be starting for Montreal this week.

Manziel got rocked at the goal line of his last start against the Ottawa Redblacks -- his body went limp, he fumbled and he looked woozy -- and he was placed in concussion protocol just a few days later.

The ex-Heisman Trophy winner missed the team's next game against Edmonton while still recovering.

Johnny says on his "Comeback SZN" Podcast with Barstool Sports he's physically feeling "back to normal" now ... but it's all up to the docs if he gets his starting job back in time for Montreal's next game.

"I feel like I'm just jumping through the necessary hoops as far as concussion protocol," he says.

The Alouettes have a Friday night tilt this week against the Toronto Argonauts and, judging by Johnny's comments on the protocol process, don't hold your breath on seeing the comeback this week.

Lamar Odom got emotional while wishing happy 40th birthday to Kobe Bryant Thursday -- thanking his good friend for sticking with him through thick and thin ... even during his darkest hours.

Remember, Kobe was one of the first people who rushed to the hospital to meet with Lamar following his overdose at a Nevada brothel back in 2015.

In fact, Kobe bolted from a Lakers preseason game early right when he heard the news and was with Lamar hours after the incident.

Kobe continued to support Odom during and after his recovery -- and Odom hasn't taken his friendship for granted.

"There are no words in this world that can describe the mad love I have for you," Lamar wrote.

"I appreciate you Bean, you have been there for me in my most dark times until today and I hope till the end of times."

"We shined together in my most glorious times and those are like a tattoo in my heart . I can never repay you back for the unconditional love but I can tell you how much I appreciate you."

Roger Federer vs. Serena Williams. Who wins?

We got Fed outside UNIQLO in NYC on Wednesday and asked him straight-up.

Obviously, Federer told us he's betting on himself ... but it begs the question, could Serena -- the greatest female tennis player of all time -- REALLY compete with Fed in a serious tennis showdown?

Remember ... Serena's been engulfed in this Battle of the Sexes subject for years. John McEnroe says he was once offered $1 MILLION by Donald Trump to do battle with her. Billie Jean King also threw herself into the conversation by saying there's no way in hell Serena would win a match with a man.

As for Serena's side on all of this ... her most recent comment on the issue came in the form of a tweet to McEnroe after he said "she'd be like 700 in the world" on the men's circuit.

"Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based," Serena said.

"I've never played anyone ranked 'there' nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir."

As for UNIQLO and why Fed was there rehashing the whole issue among so many wild fans -- the Swiss star just broke up with Nike to ink a $300 MILLION deal with the Japanese apparel giant -- and he was there to promote his new gear with the people.

Ex-Ohio State WR coach Zach Smith blew stacks at a strip club with another OSU coach and at least 1 high school coach during a recruiting trip in 2014 ... and afterwards, Urban Meyer threatened his job.

It's all in the Ohio State investigation report detailing Meyer's history with Smith ... who was fired in July after a series of incidents stemming from domestic violence allegations.

In the report, investigators say, "In May 2014, in connection with an out-of-town recruiting trip to Florida, Zach Smith ran up a significant bill at a local strip club along with another OSU football coach and one or more high school coaches."

Smith spent at least $600 in the club -- which investigators say came from "personal funds."

Urban Meyer later learned about the incident and told Smith that, if it happened again, he would be fired.

Meyer also changed up the 2014 coaches manual to include a “morality clause,” telling staff to avoid strip clubs "or venues that would embarrass The Ohio State University."

The revised manual also prohibited coaches from having porn on any university-issued computer, phone, iPad, etc.

Of course, that part is relevant because Smith took penis pics while at the White House on the official Ohio State trip to D.C. to meet President Barack Obama in April 2015.

He also took explicit pics of himself in various OSU football facilities.

Unclear why Smith wasn't punished for violating the terms in the 2014 manual.

How'd Andre Drummond feel when he saw LeBron James playing in an L.A. pickup game this week with Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard?

"I was mad I was not there!"

Drummond's also out in L.A. getting some offseason workouts in -- mostly at UCLA, where Bron and company got it in on Tuesday ... so he stopped by the TMZ office to hang out.

The Detroit Pistons superstar says he LOVES playing pickup hoop with other NBA stars -- especially those guys -- and he gave us the lowdown about what happens in those games.

Shocker ... Drummond says Kevin Durant dominates, telling us he's easily the #1 pickup player alive.

"He's very fun to watch and play with ... I think he's very unguardable."

Drummond also tells us why Kawhi Leonard is an absolute freak of nature -- just look at the size of his hands!

There's more ... Drummond also just dropped his new album, "Fyi" -- and says it solidifies his spot as the "best artist in basketball."

Ohio State has suspended head football coach Urban Meyer for 3 games without pay after an investigation determined he permitted misconduct to continue involving ex-WR coach Zach Smith.

However, school officials state neither Meyer nor Athletic Director Gene Smith covered up or condoned the alleged domestic abuse by Smith, but rather ... "failed to take sufficient management action relating to Zach Smith's misconduct and retained and Assistant Coach who was not performing as an appropriate role model for OSU student-athletes."

Meyer is suspended through September 2 and for the games on Sept. 1, 8 and 15 without pay. The final decision came after officials met with Meyer and Smith for more than 10 hours Wednesday.

As we reported ... Meyer was placed on administrative leave August 1 after the coach admitted he lied to the media when he initially claimed he had no knowledge about a 2015 domestic violence incident involving Smith.

Smith was fired from his job on July 23rd when details from the 2015 arrest went public. Smith had been arrested for felony domestic violence and felonious assault for allegedly attacking his then-wife Courtney Smith.

Courtney claims she told Urban Meyer's wife about the abuse -- but no action was ever taken by the University.

On July 24, 2018 ... Meyer was asked about the incident at Ohio State Media Day -- and claimed he had no knowledge of it.

Meyer told reporters he got a "text late last night" that "something happened" involving Smith back then but insisted "there was nothing."

Meyer said, "Once again, there’s nothing. Once again, I don’t know who creates a story like that."

Smith began coaching on Meyer's staff at 2005 as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida. He also happens to be the grandson of former Buckeyes coach Earle Bruce -- who Meyer has referred to as a mentor.

Courtney Smith claims Zach began abusing her in 2009 while Zach was working at Florida. He was arrested in '09 for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim but Courtney ultimately decided not to move forward with charges.

When asked about the '09 incident at the OSU Media Day in July, Meyer said the Smith's were a "very young couple" at the time and he did not push for an internal investigation because he wanted to "let the experts do their jobs."

He added, "We’re certainly not going to investigate. It came back to me that what was reported wasn’t actually what happened."

Courtney ultimately divorced Zach in 2016. However, their relationship is still very bad -- she got a civil protection order against him last month.

For his part, Zach claims he never abused Courtney but admits things did get physical between the two during heated arguments.

"There were several times where things got out of hand between us and I’m not saying that as I restrained her and moved her out of my way to exit the house to get out of a volatile situation ... it’s completely possible that she got a bruise or a mark," Zach said during a radio interview.

In addition to the alleged domestic violence, Zach's ex-wife Courtney claims he performed sex acts in the Ohio State athletic dept. offices with a female OSU staffer and documented it in photos and video.

She also claims Zach took multiple selfie penis pics during the OSU trip to the White House in 2015 when the team was invited to meet with President Barack Obama.

There's more ... Courtney also claims Zach ordered several sex toys and other adult items from Amazon and had them shipped to the OSU athletic officers, where staffers would have to open the boxes and deliver them to Zach.

Richie Incognito's father's death was unexpected -- and the Pro Bowl lineman took it extremely hard in the time leading up to his arrest at an Arizona funeral home ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Incognito was taken into custody Monday after officials say he went off the rails at a mortuary following the death of his father. He was released from jail 24 hours later.

Now, Richie's Las Vegas attorney, Joseph Ganley, has issued a statement on Richie's behalf.

"Richie Incognito would like to thank everyone who has reached out to express their condolences and concern over the last several days. Richie had a tremendous relationship with his father; he admired him, he emulated him, and he loved him."

"His father, Richard D. Incognito, Sr., served this country bravely and honorably during the Vietnam War in the United States Army, which made his sons extremely proud. Mr. Incognito’s unexpected death this past weekend was traumatic for the entire Incognito family."

"Richie’s lawyers are investigating the complete circumstances surrounding his misdemeanor arrest on Monday by the Scottsdale Police Department, and may have more to report when that investigation is concluded."

Here's advice from an ex-NBA superstar on how to handle yourself in a booty club -- take whatever you've got in your wallet ... AND CHUCK IT AT STRIPPERS!!!

The sage wisdom is brought to you by former Celtics star Glen "Big Baby" Davis ... who we got at OHM Nightclub, where he was judging an open audition for V Live L.A.

After explaining to us what he looks for in great strippers ... he unveiled advice to all the normal folk who have no idea how to be a big baller around butts.

"You gotta thrown what you can, man," Glen says. "Throw what you can, that's my motto."