Defying any would-be critics of his recruiting practices, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told a group of high-school football coaches yesterday that he considers Ohio his recruiting turf and that he will work hard to protect it.

Bristling from a complaint by Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema that Meyer might have stepped over the line in getting some recruits to switch their commitments to the Buckeyes — including one player who previously said he was going to Wisconsin — Meyer told members of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association that he is only getting started.

“You’re (upset) because we went after a committed guy? Guess what? We’ve got nine guys (assistant coaches) who better go do it again and do it a little harder next time,” Meyer said in a Hilton hotel ballroom at Easton packed with coaches in town for a convention.

Offensive lineman Kyle Dodson of Cleveland Heights flipped from Wisconsin to Ohio State. Other instate players who did the same before signing with the Buckeyes on Wednesday were Taylor Decker of Vandalia (Notre Dame) and Se’Von Pittman of Canton (Michigan State).

As he was leaving, Meyer told The Dispatch that any complaints were “silly” and that he would not change how Ohio State does business.

Later that day, Meyer took part in a previously scheduled meeting with nine other Big Ten football coaches and conference commissioner Jim Delany outside Chicago. One of the coaches present was Bielema, who also said he spoke to Meyer in December about an “illegal” tactic he thought Meyer had used.

After the meeting, Meyer issued a statement through Ohio State.

“We had an opportunity to discuss a number of issues with each other and conference staff, including those that have arisen this week,” Meyer said. “It should be noted that my coaching staff is in full compliance with our recruiting efforts, and no one on this staff did anything illegal or unethical. We will continue to comply with NCAA rules and recruit with relentless effort, especially the great state of Ohio.

“I want to thank commissioner Delany for his insight and leadership, and at this point we all look forward to moving past this week and getting ready for the start of spring football.”

There was no statement from Bielema, but there was from his boss, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, who addressed the myth of a “gentleman’s agreement” among conference coaches that they don’t try to sway recruits who have committed to another league school.

“Recruiting is recruiting until they sign,” Alvarez told ESPN.com. “If we had somebody who changed their mind and came to us, that’s OK. Urban was very aggressive, but there is no pact within the conference not to continue to recruit. It’s open season until they sign.”

Also issuing a statement yesterday was Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, but only to separate himself from the debate. Some had thought comments he made earlier this week had been directed at Meyer.

“My comments regarding ‘unethical’ behavior were general in nature, according to my current coaching philosophy, and not directed toward any particular institution,” said Dantonio, a former OSU assistant coach.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said he was disappointment that the matter ever became public, saying the right course for a coach with a complaint is to take it to his athletic director.

“Then your AD will make the determination on the appropriate communication from that point forward,” Smith said. “The ADs in our league are professionals and communicate with each other extremely well. Urban Meyer and his staff have had a compliance conscience since they have arrived.”

tmay@dispatch.com