In a football game, it’s the players who should be tackling other players – not coaches tackling other coaches. But that’s exactly what happened at an Alabama high school football game this weekend when a coach was caught on camera slamming his volunteer assistant coach down to the ground on the sideline.
During this week’s game between Opelika High School and Dothan High School on Friday night, Dathan head coach Jed Kennedy was seen pushing a volunteer assistant coach to the ground after the assistant coach drew a penalty flag for sideline interference.
After the referee threw the penalty flag, Kennedy ran up to the assistant coach, grabbed him, and aggressively threw him to the ground.
https://twitter.com/hekkubus/status/1583821362074128384
It was certainly a shocking scene, and the football world was quick to react to it on Twitter.
Not a good way to treat assistant coaches, especially ones that do not get paid. https://t.co/uGQfB5C8BH
— Brian (@BrianGottfried) October 23, 2022
Known mentally stable head coach Jed Kennedy assaulting his own staff now. That's a twist. https://t.co/HwrUzNXJI0
— Uncle Don (@BWeezytheDon) October 23, 2022
Perfectly acceptable, should’ve wrapped up when he hit him though. If you expect your players to stay in bounds, the least your staff can do is stay out of bounds… https://t.co/NINsJdILo5
— Coach Morgan Randall 🧢 (@TheCoachRandall) October 23, 2022
Terrible move by the coach. Fantastic sideline interference flag by the official. The restricted area is off limits to coaches during a live ball and only 3 should be in that area during a dead ball. And never on the playing field except during a time out. https://t.co/yuTRM3tPw9
— Tyler Matlock (@TylertheGr8) October 23, 2022
The legacy of Woody Hayes lives on… https://t.co/tkEV0UiChl
— THE University of Missouri 14 Ohio State 3 (@gabuckeyehater) October 22, 2022
It just means more https://t.co/JhjiHdufvv
— Guy Phillips (@GuyofHorses) October 22, 2022
According to the school system, the issue is currently under investigation.
“Dothan City Schools does not comment on personnel matters. However, we will be conducting an investigation on the situation and it will be dealt with appropriately,” Dothan City Schools said in a statement to Outkick.
Dothan City Superintendent Dr. Dennis Coe also acknowledged the incident.
“Yes, we are aware of the video and are investigating,” Coe told WTVY. “The matter will be dealt with.”
Despite the incident, the team ultimately won the game on Friday, defeating Opelka by a score of 14-7.
[Hekkubus]
