Simi Valley Unified School District has fired Royal High School football coach Adam Brubaker after he reportedly kicked a football into the groin of one of his players during a recent practice.
According to the local ABC affiliate, the firing happened just hours before the school's season-opening game Friday.
A video of the incident was captured on a campus camera and appears to show Brubaker visibly upset and advancing toward the player. He then kicks a nearby football, striking the player in the groin and causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
"I kicked the ball and it hit him in the groin area and instantly I felt like I was going to pass out," Brubaker told ABC. "I feel obviously a great deal of remorse for what happened. It's a one in a million shot."
Brubaker said the incident was an accident, and he was upset after on of the players violently pulled a running back to the ground.
Other adult s approached the coach after the incident, and Brubaker said he was not aiming for the player. He said he apologized to the player at the end of practice.
A statement provided to Royal High School football families by the school's principal on Friday says:
"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!"
Brubaker said he understands the district's decision to fire him.
"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," said Brubaker.
