A high school football coach in Simi Valley has been fired after a video surfaced showing him kicking a ball that struck a student athlete in the groin during a recent practice. The Simi Valley Unified School District dismissed Adam Brubaker from his post at Royal High School just hours before Friday’s season-opening game.
The incident was captured on a campus security camera. The footage shows a visibly upset Brubaker approaching a player, then suddenly kicking a nearby football. The ball hit the player in the groin, causing him to crumple to the ground in pain. Other adults rush over to help the player while Brubaker walks away.
Brubaker told Eyewitness News the kick 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,” he said. “I feel obviously a great deal of remorse for what happened. It’s a one in a million shot.” He added that he became upset after one of the players violently pulled a running back to the ground, a move that is not allowed during drills because of injury risk.
Brubaker said he apologized to the player after practice. The school’s principal issued a statement to football families Friday, announcing the coaching change. “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,” the statement read. Cody MacArthur would serve as head coach for that night’s game, with an interim head coach to be named later.
Brubaker said he understands the district’s decision. “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,” he told KABC. He also told the Ventura County Star, “I got fired. It is what it is.” His name has been removed from the school’s coaching roster, replaced by the word “Vacant.”
Despite the turmoil, Royal High came out roaring. On Friday, the Highlanders defeated Monroe of North Hills 62-0. Offensive coordinator Sean Bridgewater handled play-calling duties, and quarterback Preston Murray threw two touchdown passes. Murray said the team stayed loose and executed everything, despite the week’s distractions.
Royal is scheduled to travel to Carpinteria this week. It remains unclear who will be named interim head coach for the rest of the season.
