Hoover High School football coaches Drew Gilmer and Adam Helms have resigned just days after being placed on administrative leave.
RELATED: Hoover football coaches placed on administrative leave
Gilmer, the Buccaneers’ head coach, and Helms, the team’s defensive coordinator, were hired in January after a successful tenure at Clay-Chalkville High School. The pair was suspended on Tuesday after the circulation of two videos taken at a practice held last Friday. In one video, a coach thrusted a player’s head into his groin; in the other, a coach ripped off a player’s helmet and shoved him to the ground.
This video is from a practice on the Hoover field. I am not saying any coach involved is one of the two coaches placed on leave. It is a quick video, you’ll see an adult/coach rip off a players helmet and throw it while another adult/coach does something odd to the players head.… pic.twitter.com/fRlAFLhFLR
— Ryan Brown (@RyanBrownLive) August 6, 2024
Now @FootballScoop has received multiple videos that show at best bizarre behavior on the practice field as national prep powerhouse Hoover, Alabama, investigates its head coach & DC: https://t.co/uCgS1y0Y6B pic.twitter.com/D2e98bdYTB
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) August 6, 2024
In a Wednesday press conference, attorneys representing the family of a football player involved in the incident confirmed criminal charges against Gilmer have been filed with the Hoover Police Department.
“The acts committed by Gilmer are pervasive, perverted, abusive, extreme, outrageous and beyond all possible bounds of human decency from someone who is deemed or defined as an educator in the public school system in the state of Alabama,” said Alabama State Representative Juandalynn Givan. “As you can imagine, the mother and family are devastated to the degree of shock and disbelief that this young student is forever harmed and will be adversely impacted for the rest of his life.”
“We know football’s a tough sport. All sports are tough. Tough coaches get in players’ faces. They grab ’em by the shoulder pads. They push ’em around,” added attorney Reginald McDaniel. “This goes way beyond those kinds of actions, and it’s shocking that many of the public are looking at this with a blind eye.”
In a press release, Hoover named offensive coordinator Chip English the football team’s interim head coach as the Buccaneers prepare for their August 24 opener in Miami, Florida.
“Coach English brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the team, and we are confident in his ability to lead the Bucs as they prepare for the upcoming season,” the statement read. “Practice sessions will continue as scheduled, ensuring the team remains focused and ready for their first game. Our players and coaches appreciate your support during this football season.”
Charles Vaughan is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.
