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A high school coach in Alabama is going viral for literally tackling an assistant on the sidelines midgame. The bizarre clip is now making its way around social media.
Jed Kennedy, the coach at Dothan High, was seen slamming a volunteer staff member to the ground after his team received a penalty for sideline interference. The incident came as opponent Opelika scored a go-ahead touchdown in Friday night action.
The event is now getting a ton of attention nationally, with many asking for the coach to be fired. The school’s athletics director has issued comment on the incident by simply saying that she would not release a statement.
“We do not comment on personnel issues.” -Dothan AD Jessica Noble
On the play, the volunteer coach stepped a bit too close to the playing field, which garnered an immediate reaction from the official tracking the play. As soon as the flag was thrown, Kennedy yanked the assistant and threw him to the ground.
People on social media think there need to be repercussions for the head coach who tackled his assistant.
After slamming his assistant coach to the ground, folks on the internet began to chime in with potential punishments for Jed Kennedy. Those punishments range from an apology to a suspension to firing.
FIRE HIM!!!!
— Iam Brandà (@Shanta_Michelle) October 23, 2022
One person wrote, “That’s kind of hard to defend there. I’m not perfect by any means but this is egregious. It was does with so much malice that it can’t be ignored. A simple apology doesn’t fix this one.” Another commented, “I am guessing he has coached his last game,” after seeing the clip.
The fact that Kennedy coaches high school aged players has led many to note the significance of the altercation. The viewer replied, “This is inexcusable action by the head coach… What happens when he “loses his temper” with one of the players? These are 13–18-year-old kids, mind you.”
Others shared the same sentiment.
That is wrong on so many levels. Not only is he spoused to be the one the players, staff and coaches look up to but also his attitudes and actions should teach the boys how to conduct them selves. He failed on all accounts. No excuses he needs to go.
— Tammy LoBue (@lobue_tammy) October 22, 2022
We’ll see what happens next in this story. It’s not looking great for the head coach.
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