Former head football coach of Albertville High School, Chip English, has been appointed as the interim coach after the placement of head coach Drew Gilmer on administrative leave. The decision comes in light of an incident involving problematic behavior by Hoover coaches during practice, which was captured in a circulated video on social media.

Chip English had resigned from his position as Albertville's head coach prior to the start of the 2023 season, after serving as the head coach for two years. He had moved on to become the quarterback coach at Hoover. During his tenure at Albertville, English faced a challenging record, with only two wins against 18 losses. Prior to his stint at Albertville, he had helmed the football program at Grissom High School, where he recorded a 16-25 record from 2017 to 2020. Grissom was able to reach the playoffs once during those four years.

The administrative leave of Drew Gilmer, as well as defensive coordinator Adam Helms, was announced in a statement by the superintendent of Hoover City Schools, Kevin Maddox, on Tuesday. The investigation into the problematic behavior displayed by Hoover coaches during practice is ongoing.

As interim coach, Chip English will be tasked with leading the team during this challenging period. Albertville High School hopes that his experience and expertise will bring stability and guidance to the football program, allowing the players to focus on their upcoming games and maintaining the team's momentum.

The Albertville community, as well as the players and their families, are anticipated to rally behind Coach English as he takes on this temporary leadership role. The goals for the team remain unchanged, as they strive for success both on and off the field, under the guidance of their new interim coach.

The search for a permanent replacement for Drew Gilmer and the filling of the defensive coordinator position will begin once the investigation is concluded and further decisions have been made by Hoover City Schools. In the meantime, the football program will be under the direction of Chip English, who is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive culture among the team while maintaining a focus on their upcoming games and season.

The Albertville High School administration is confident that with the support of the coaching staff, players, and community, the team will navigate this challenging period with resilience and determination.