A high school football coach in Simi Valley, California, has lost his job after a controversial video from a recent practice went viral.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Royal High School coach Adam Brubaker could be seen kicking a ball that struck a student-athlete in the groin area during the practice session.
The Simi Valley Unified School District subsequently reviewed footage of the incident and decided to part ways with Brubaker on Friday.
The decision came just hours before Royal High School was due to play its season-opening game.
Football Coach Fired After Controversial Practice Incident
A camera on the school campus captured the incident as it unfolded.
In the footage, Brubaker appears visibly frustrated as he approaches a player before kicking a ball in his direction.
The ball strikes the student-athlete in the groin, causing him to immediately fall to the ground in pain. Several teammates and coaches appeared stunned before approaching the player to check on him.
"I kicked the ball and it hit him in the groin area and instantly I felt like I was going to pass out," Brubaker said after the incident. "I feel obviously a great deal of remorse for what happened. It's a one in a million shot."
Brubaker maintains that the incident was accidental and that he never intended for the ball to strike the player.
He explained that his frustration stemmed from an earlier moment in practice when a player violently pulled a running back to the ground.
According to Brubaker, coaches do not allow the move during practice because of the increased risk of injury.
School Announces Immediate Coaching Change
As the video continues, adults can be seen confronting Brubaker following the incident.
The coach said he later apologized to the player after practice before the school district launched its review.
"I want to provide you with an update regarding our football program. The District has completed its review of the incident from earlier this week," the principal of Royal High School said in a statement.
"As a result, the leadership of Royal High School's football program will immediately change. Cody MacArthur will serve as Head Coach for the Royal High School football team tonight. An interim head coach will be named shortly."
"Our focus now is to support our student-athletes, provide stability for the program, and help the team move forward together."
Brubaker said he understands the school's decision to remove him from the position. While adding that the fallout from the incident has affected his entire family.
"Nothing has been harder in my life than the last three days," he was quoted as saying.
