"They need to go in jail" "It’s football not f**king band": Fans have wild reactions to Hoover coaches going rough with Bucs players in a viral video

High school football is heating up with summer training in full swing, but a practice session at Hoover High School has become a hot topic of discussion. New coach Drew Gilmer and defensive coordinator Adam Helms got embroiled in a controversy due to a viral footage of their allegedly aggressive moves during a practice session.

The controversial Hudl video shows Coach Gilmer thrusting his hips towards a player’s face while the player was on the ground. Coach Helms was also seen running towards a player before removing his helmet and knocking him on the field. These actions were heavily criticized by football fans.

Some believe they crossed the line of acceptable conduct and that the coaches' behavior was totally inappropriate.

"All for hard practices and discipline. But You can’t take the helmet off the guy and then hump their face like that. Bro took off his helmet for the other guy to hump his face. Wth," one wrote.

The intense reaction by the coach could possibly get a pass after all its football but the “humping” joking or not is unacceptable PERIOD! If it was the DC doing that the head coach saw it and did nothing its his team his watch," one wrote.

"They need to go to jail," one wrote.

Let's look at some other reactions.

However, there was support for the coaches, too, as some fans argue that such behavior is a part of the tough nature of football and training sessions.

"Calm down Karen. It’s football. Let the boys be boys," one wrote.

"I don’t see anything wrong with these pics. This was common behavior back in 2003," one wrote.

"It’s football not f**king band or ballet. This is mild," one wrote.

Gilmer took over as the head of the Hoover Buccaneers football program this year after seven years at Clay-Chalkville High School. Helms had worked with Gilmer at the school.

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What actions were taken against the alleged Hoover coaches?

Both Hoover coaches, Drew Gilmer and Adam Helms, have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the alleged incidents. According to the school's statement (via Yellow Hammer):

“The decision to place these two athletic coaches on administrative leave was made to ensure a thorough and impartial review of recent developments.”

Gilmer led the Clay-Chalkville High School Cougars to a remarkable 14-0 season in 2023 and had a phenomenal coaching record of 81-12, including two AHSAA 6A state championships.

Despite his achievements, the focus is on addressing the sensitivity of the incident rather than his coaching accomplishments. Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kevin Maddox noted the priority of student and staff safety:

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities. We are taking this matter seriously and working diligently to resolve it promptly and fairly.”

The Bucs are less than three weeks away from their season opener, so the suspension of the coaches could impact the program at such a crucial time.