Drew Gilmer, Adam Helms leave the team following incident August 2:
GDW Analysis:
HOOVER: Hoover City Board of Education accepted the resignations of football coach Drew Gilmer and assistant coach Adam Helms during a special board meeting Thursday.
The resignation comes less than a week after an incident became public while Hoover was conducting a practice on August 2.
Media reports stated of inappropriate action with Gilmer and Helms in a practice session. It resulted with an unidentified player being pushed to the ground and eventually having his helmet yanked off in the heat of the battle.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be our top priorities.” superintendent Kevin Maddox said in the release. “We maintain high expectations for our employees and students. At this time, our focus is dedicated to supporting our football players and coaching staff.”
Gilmer was in his first season at Hoover after coaching 7 years at nearby Clay Chalkville High School. Gilmer guided Clay to 81 wins and state championships in 2021 and 2023
In the first round of the 2023 Class 6A playoffs, Clay Chalkville had a victory over the Cullman Bearcats.
Hoover went ahead and named offensive coordinator Chip English as the head coach in an interim role.
The Bucs were only 5 & 7 in 2023, their first losing program since a 6 & 6 mark in 2007.
Wade Waldrep coached the Bucs the past two seasons then resigned after they were eliminated in the 7A postseason 2nd round.
In its history, Hoover has won a state football championship 13 times, five between 2012 to 2017.
The 2024 season for Hoover begins against Western High School of Davie, Florida on August 24 in a matchup of nationally ranked programs.
Hoover was in its first week of fall practice when the incident occurred in the practice being videoed.
Photo courtesy of Hoover High School football.
