Current coach and former professional football player react to Hoover High School football videos

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Fallout and reaction continues following the release of Hudl videos depicting a Hoover High School football practice.

In the videos, obtained by sister station WKRG, an athletic department employee with Hoover High School 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, ripping off his helmet and knocking him down in the process.

On Tuesday, the school system confirmed that head coach Drew Gilmer and defensive coordinator Adam Helms had been put on leave. Chip English, the offensive coordinator for the Hoover High Buccaneers, was named interim head coach.

Hueytown Youth Football League Coach Melvin Winston said pushing and tackling comes with the territory of playing football, but it’s different when it involves a coach and a player.

“We try to get the kids to get used to grabbing somebody, and getting used to somebody grabbing you or taking you down and hitting,” said Winston. “You have to see that fine line in-between kids and see what they respond to.”

Winston said excessive force from a coach on a player is never ok.

Tuscaloosa native, and former New York Jet and Canadian Football League Player, Doug Parrish said excessive force on anyone is unacceptable.

“We don’t know the ins and outs all the facts right now,’ said Parrish.

Parrish says although aggression is common in football there’s a fine line.

“Old school coaches would do that if you missed your assignment, you know missed a block through the two gap or A gap or what have you. You know you’re going to get
some repercussions for that. The new school, probably the philosophy, is ‘Hey, keep your hands off of the kids,” said Parrish.

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