Gilmer, Helms resign from Hoover High School

From Tribune staff reports

HOOVER — Hoover High School head coach Drew Gilmer and defensive coordinator Adam Helms have resigned, according to a press release from Hoover City Schools superintendent, Kevin Maddox. The resignations were effective immediately.

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be our top priorities,” Maddox said.

The Hoover Board of Education met briefly on Thursday afternoon to approve personnel recommendations from the Superintendent. Before the vote, the attorney for Hoover schools addressed the board.

“Board members and superintendent, what you’re about to do involves a matter which could potentially involve litigation,” the attorney said. “For that reason, I request that you not you not give any public comment, that you not answer any questions, that you not discuss this matter with anyone because of the potential for litigation.”

Attorneys representing one of the Hoover High School football players involved in an incident that led school officials to place Head Coach Drew Gilmer and Defensive Coordinator Adam Helms on administrative leave said they want his removed from coaching.

At a news conference on Wednesday, attorneys Reginald McDaniel and Juandalynn Givan said they were retained to represent one of the players and are meeting with the family of a second player this afternoon. The player they are currently representing turn 17-year-old today.

“To place him on administrative leave isn’t enough,” Givan said. “Coach Gilmer committed acts that justify termination and being enjoined from ever coaching on any level going forward.”

The attorneys did not mention defensive coordinator Helms and said Gilmer was the coach that made physical contact with their client. The attorneys said they are reviewing all legal options for their client.

“We are looking at claims on the state level, we’re looking at claims on the federal level,” McDaniel said.

Givan called Gilmer’s actions “pervasive, perverted, abusive, extreme, outrageous and beyond all possible bounds of human decency for someone who is deemed or defined as an educator in the public school system in the state of Alabama.”

Givan said a police report had been filed with Hoover Police and they plan to follow that investigation while conducting one of their own.

Hoover City School Superintendent Kevin Maddox placed Hoover High School football head coach Drew Gilmer and defensive coordinator Adam Helms on administrative leave on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports

A press release from Maddox was circulated on Tuesday afternoon.

The press release stated the two had been placed on immediate leave.

Clay Chalkville’s Drew Gilmer looks on as his team wins the 2023 State Championship.
Photo by: Ron Burkett

“The decision to place these two athletic coaches, Mr. Gilmer and Mr. Helms, on administrative leave was made to ensure a thorough and impartial review of recent developments,” according to the statement. “The district is committed to maintaining transparency and upholding the highest standards or professional conduct.”

While the statement did not offer specifics, Maddox said the well being of students and staff was a top priority and the matter was being taken seriously. He said he would work diligently for a fair and prompt resolution.

Video from a Hoover Buc practice show coaches hitting and pulling the helmets off of players during a practice. After one play, a coach charged in and leveled a lineman, ripping off his helmet in the process. Following another play, two coaches converged on a player on the ground. One of the coaches appeared to thrust his crotch in the player’s face as another coached pulled off the player’s helmet.

Maddox said students, parents and staff would be kept updated on the investigation.

Gilmer was the 6A state championship coach of the Clay-Chalkville High School Cougars before taking over the Hoover program last Spring.