HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) — With days until the start of the high school football season, the head of the Hoover High School football team and his defensive coordinator have both been put on administrative leave, effective immediately.
On Tuesday, the school system confirmed that head coach Drew Gilmer and defensive coordinator Adam Helms had been put on leave. No information on why Gilmer and Helms were put on leave has been released.
According to a statement, the decision to put the two coaches on leave was made "to ensure a thorough and impartial review of recent developments."
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities," Hoover Schools Superintendent Kevin Maddox said in a statement. "We are taking this matter seriously and working diligently to resolve it promptly and fairly.”
In a video obtained by sister station WKRG, an athletic department employee can be seen thrusting his hips toward a player who was lying on the ground during a practice. In another clip, another employee can be seen charging at a player during a drill, knocking him down in the process.
Gilmer was named head of the Hoover Buccaneers football program in January following the exit of Wade Waldrop, who had only been with the team for two seasons. Gilmer came to Hoover after seven years at Clay-Chalkville High School, where he led the program to two state titles.
High school football teams across the state are currently in the middle of summer training, getting ready for the upcoming season. Hoover will kick off the season against Spain Park on Aug. 30.