Two high school football coaches in Alabama have resigned after allegations of inappropriate behavior, including a staff member shoving his hip in a player’s face during practice, were spread on social media.
Hoover High School head coach Drew Gilmer and defensive coordinator Adam Helms were initially placed on administrative leave and have since resigned from their positions with the school’s football team, the district announced during a special school board meeting Thursday.
In one video, Acquired by WBRC, A coach was caught hitting a player in the face with his hip after he was tackled during practice, while another coach was caught ripping off another player’s helmet.
A second video showed the coach sprinting across the field and ripping another player’s helmet off his head as the high school student fell to the ground during practice.
“This has absolutely nothing to do with him being a good coach on the field, this is entirely about what was seen on video in this incident that has once again caused uproar and concern not only in the state of Alabama but across the sports industry,” Alabama Rep. Juandalyn Givan told the outlet.
The school district has not confirmed the identity of the coach seen in the video, according to the outlet.
“The past few days have been extremely worrying for our football players, coaches and the entire Hoover community,” Hoover Schools Chancellor Kevin Maddox said in a statement obtained by WBRC. “The safety and health of our students, faculty and staff remains our number one priority.”
“We have high expectations for our employees and students, and at this time our focus is on supporting our football players and coaching staff.”
Givan, who represents the players seen in the video, said the 17-year-old players were “subjected to experiences that no child should ever have to go through, even on a playing field.” AL.com reported.
On Wednesday, the district announced that offensive coordinator Chip English would be named interim head coach for the team, which opens its season on Aug. 24 at Miami, Florida.
The Hoover Police Department said they are investigating the incident captured on video.
Some of the team’s student-athletes expressed support for the coaches after they were placed on administrative leave.
“We love Coach Gilmer and Coach Helms! Just ask any of our roster players. They’ve done so much for us and the Hoover program,” one player said. The student said on social media. “If the players want him as their coach, they should be allowed to keep him! His coaching style may be a little different, but that’s why he wins!”
Gilmer was hired as the new head coach in January after compiling an 81-12 record at Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama.
Helms followed Mr. Gilmer from Clay-Chalkville to Hoover High School.
Hoover High School’s varsity football program was featured on MTV’s reality show, “Two-A-Days.”
The show aired for a total of 19 episodes over two seasons from August 2006 to April 2007.
