An assistant high school football coach was fired after video footage showed him striking a player on the helmet during a game in Tampa, Fla. on Friday, according to a statement from Rev. Richard Hermes, S.J., the president of Jesuit High School.
The male, who is a part-time assistant for the Jesuit High School football team, was seen punching a defensive player wearing No. 94 as he ran off the field and over to the sidelines in a video posted to X by former NFL player Kevin Hobbs, who currently serves as a defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay Tech High.
The assistant coach confronted the student and appeared to yell at him before walking away during the game against Jesuit rival, Tampa Catholic.
Hermes said in a statement sent to students’ families on Sunday that the football player was not injured in the incident, and that the school reached out to him and his family.
The assistant coach, whose name was not reported, was informed in a meeting with the school that he would “no longer be coaching Jesuit football or assisting the school in any other capacity” due to his behavior, which “contradicts what the school stands for.”
Jesuit head coach Matt Thompson said that “the matter is being addressed” when initially asked about the incident Saturday night, according to The Tampa Bay Times.
It is unclear if legal action is involved as of Tuesday.
Jesuit beat Tampa Catholic 66-35 on Friday, which marked the end of their regular season.
The Tigers (8-2) host Pinellas Park (6-4) on Friday in the opening round of Class 3M, Region 2 playoffs.
Read Hermes’ full statement below:
“I am writing to make you aware of an incident that occurred this past Friday night during the Jesuit home football game,” the statement began.
“Between plays on the field, one of our part-time assistant coaches struck a Jesuit player on the helmet as the player was coming off the field and onto the sideline.
“This behavior contradicts what the school stands for and is completely contrary to the expectation we have for coaches, moderators, and faculty members, who are to be role models for our students and mentors in their development as young men.
“We have reached out to the student, who was not injured in the incident, and to his family.
“We have met with the coach and informed him that he will no longer be coaching Jesuit football or assisting the school in any other capacity.
“The mission of Jesuit is to provide a Christian formation and education for our students. This requires that we maintain an environment for them that is safe, supportive, and conducive to their well-being and growth. This standard applies to all activities, inside and outside the classroom.
“We are reviewing our internal procedures and staff training to ensure that this standard is upheld by all Jesuit personnel, full-time and part-time.
“Thank you for your prayers and encouragement in helping us to better fulfill our mission.”
