Bizarre: Coach Fired for Kicking Ball Into Player’s Groin at Practice
High School Football Coach Fired After Video Shows Him Kicking Ball Into Player
What Happened: The Simple Version
A high school football coach in Simi Valley, California lost his job after a video came out showing him kicking a football that accidentally hit a student player in a very sensitive spot. Here’s what you need to know, explained simply.
The Incident: Step by Step
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During Practice – Coach Adam Brubaker was leading a football practice at Royal High School.
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A Player Broke a Rule – One player violently pulled a running back to the ground during a drill. This isn’t allowed because someone could get hurt.
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Coach Got Upset – Brubaker became visibly angry about the dangerous play.
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The Kick – While upset, Brubaker kicked a football that was sitting nearby. The ball flew up and struck a player in the groin area.
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Player Goes Down – The student fell to the ground in pain.
- Adults Rush In – Other adults on the field immediately came over to help the injured player.
What the Video Shows
Important Point: A school campus security camera recorded the entire incident. The video was obtained by Eyewitness News (KABC).
The footage appears to show:
- Coach Brubaker advancing toward a player while visibly upset
- A sudden kick of a nearby football
- The ball striking the player in the groin
- The player collapsing in pain
- Other adults confronting the coach and tending to the student
Coach Brubaker’s Side of the Story
Brubaker spoke to Eyewitness News and said:
| Claim | Details |
|---|---|
| It was an accident | "I kicked the ball and it hit him in the groin area and instantly I felt like I was going to pass out." |
| Not aiming at the player | He insists he wasn’t trying to hit anyone. |
| Calls it a "one in a million shot" | Describes it as an incredibly unlucky accident. |
| Feels deep remorse | "I feel obviously a great deal of remorse for what happened." |
| Apologized afterward | "When we finished practice, I went back over to him. I apologized." |
| Understands the firing | He says he accepts the school district’s decision. |
Why He Was Upset (The Context)
Important Context: This doesn’t excuse what happened, but it explains the situation.
Brubaker says he became angry because a player violently pulled a running back to the ground during a drill. This type of tackle is not allowed in practice because it creates a high risk of injury. The coach was trying to enforce safety rules when he lost his temper.
The School District’s Response
The Simi Valley Unified School District acted quickly:
- Reviewed the incident – They completed their investigation within days.
- Fired Coach Brubaker – The decision came just hours before the team’s season-opening game on Friday.
- Named a replacement – Cody MacArthur will serve as Head Coach for the immediate game.
- Plans for an interim coach – A permanent interim head coach will be named soon.
- Focus on students – The principal’s statement emphasizes supporting student-athletes and providing stability.
Official Statement to Families
The principal sent this message to Royal High School football families:
"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. 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. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding throughout this process and look forward to supporting our players and coaches for the remainder of the season. Go Highlanders!"
What Happened to the Coach’s Profile
- Brubaker’s photo has been removed from the team’s staff page
- The varsity head coach position now shows "Vacant" with an empty image frame
- This confirms the firing is official and public
The Human Impact
Brubaker described the aftermath:
"Nothing has been harder in my life than the last three days. It has been an absolute trying time for me, my wife, my kids."
Summary
- Coach Adam Brubaker was fired from Royal High School in Simi Valley
- Reason: Video showed him kicking a ball that accidentally hit a player in the groin during practice
- Context: He was upset about a dangerous (and prohibited) tackle during a drill
- His claim: It was a complete accident; he wasn’t aiming at the player
- His response: Immediate remorse, apologized to the player, accepts the firing
- District action: Fired him within days, named Cody MacArthur as immediate replacement
- Current focus: Supporting student-athletes and team stability for the season
FAQ
Was the coach trying to hurt the player?
No. Both the video and Brubaker’s statement indicate it was an accident. He kicked a ball that happened to strike the player. He says he was not aiming at anyone.
Why was the coach so angry?
He saw a player violently pull a running back to the ground during a practice drill. This type of contact is not allowed in practice because it can cause serious injuries. He was trying to enforce safety rules.
Did the player need medical attention?
The article says the player "fell to the ground in pain" and other adults "tend to the player," but it doesn’t specify if medical treatment was required.
Who is coaching the team now?
Cody MacArthur is serving as Head Coach for the season-opening game. An interim head coach will be named shortly for the rest of the season.
Can the coach appeal or get his job back?
The article doesn’t mention any appeal process. Brubaker said he understands and accepts the district’s decision to fire him.
Source: KABC Television, LLC (Copyright © 2026)