Two ex-Hoover High School football players are seeking $30 million in a lawsuit filed Monday claiming they were abused by the former head coach and defensive coordinator during practice last summer.The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court by the guardians of the alleged victims -- identified in court filings by their initials, D.G. and D.L. -- also alleged the Hoover Board of Education was negligent in the hiring of Drew Gilmer and Adam Helms.Videos of the practice went viral after they were posted online, leading the board to put Gilmer and Helms on administrative leave before the coaches resigned days later in August.The video, leaked from a Hoover high practice, showed two encounters between Hoover coaches and individual players that led to the decisions. In the first encounter, the coach appeared to thrust his groin onto the head of the player, who was on the ground.Efforts to reach the board and Gilmer were not immediately successful.“The safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be our top priorities,” superintendent Kevin Maddox said after the resignations. “We maintain high expectations for our employees and students. At this time, our focus is dedicated to supporting our football players and coaching staff.”The lawsuit accused the board, Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kevin Maddox and Hoover High School Athletic Director Jack Lamey of negligent hiring, training, supervision, monitoring and retention of the coaches.It claimed a thorough background check of Gilmer and Helms would have turned up the coaches’ “abusive history.”“At no time did the Board and/or its members, Maddox, or Lamey conduct a thorough employment history of Gilmer and the numerous complaints against Gilmer and his abusive conduct of student athletes that was well known in the community and at each prior school where he coached,” the lawsuit continued.“If so, they intentionally ignored the warning signs of Coach Gilmer’s irrational and extensive abusive conduct history and negligently and/or with reckless and wanton behavior chose to hire Gilmer and Helms knowing the risk and foreseeability that Gilmer and Helms’s abusive conduct towards student athletes would result in and cause injury and harm to students as suffered by the minor plaintiffs.”The lawsuit seeks $10 million for an assault and battery claim, $10 million for emotional distress and mental anguish and $10 million on the claim of negligent hiring, training, supervision, monitoring and retention.

Two ex-Hoover High School football players are seeking $30 million in a lawsuit filed Monday claiming they were abused by the former head coach and defensive coordinator during practice last summer. The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court by the guardians of the alleged victims — identified in court filings by their initials, D.G. […]

Two ex-Hoover High School football players are seeking $30 million in a lawsuit filed Monday claiming they were abused by the former head coach and defensive coordinator during practice last summer.

The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court by the guardians of the alleged victims — identified in court filings by their initials, D.G. and D.L. — also alleged the Hoover Board of Education was negligent in the hiring of Drew Gilmer and Adam Helms.

Videos of the practice went viral after they were posted online, leading the board to put Gilmer and Helms on administrative leave before the coaches resigned days later in August.

The video, leaked from a Hoover high practice, showed two encounters between Hoover coaches and individual players that led to the decisions. In the first encounter, the coach appeared to thrust his groin onto the head of the player, who was on the ground.

Efforts to reach the board and Gilmer were not immediately successful.

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be our top priorities,” superintendent Kevin Maddox said after the resignations. “We maintain high expectations for our employees and students. At this time, our focus is dedicated to supporting our football players and coaching staff.”

The lawsuit accused the board, Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kevin Maddox and Hoover High School Athletic Director Jack Lamey of negligent hiring, training, supervision, monitoring and retention of the coaches.

It claimed a thorough background check of Gilmer and Helms would have turned up the coaches’ “abusive history.”

“At no time did the Board and/or its members, Maddox, or Lamey conduct a thorough employment history of Gilmer and the numerous complaints against Gilmer and his abusive conduct of student athletes that was well known in the community and at each prior school where he coached,” the lawsuit continued.

“If so, they intentionally ignored the warning signs of Coach Gilmer’s irrational and extensive abusive conduct history and negligently and/or with reckless and wanton behavior chose to hire Gilmer and Helms knowing the risk and foreseeability that Gilmer and Helms’s abusive conduct towards student athletes would result in and cause injury and harm to students as suffered by the minor plaintiffs.”

The lawsuit seeks $10 million for an assault and battery claim, $10 million for emotional distress and mental anguish and $10 million on the claim of negligent hiring, training, supervision, monitoring and retention.