Clay-Chalkville’s Drew Gilmer Expected to be Named Hoover Head Football Coach
Hoover, AL – Hoover High School is poised to usher in a new era of Buccaneer football. PrepsNet has confirmed that the Bucs are expected to name Clay-Chalkville’s Drew Gilmer their 9th head football coach.
Gilmer, who was recently named the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 6A Coach of the Year, is coming off a 14-0 campaign and a Class 6A state title in 2023.
The coaching veteran has spent his entire career on the sidelines in Jefferson County, spending time as an assistant at Pinson Valley and Clay-Chalkville before being elevated to head coach at CCHS in 2017.
During is seven year run at the helm of the Clay-Chalkville program he lead the Cougars a combined 81-12 record including three region championships and Class 6A state tiles in 2023 and 2021, finishing with unblemished records in both seasons.
The Cougars 2023 season was highlighted by a victory over powerhouse Thompson on national television and punctuated by a thrilling victory over Saraland in the Class 6A state title game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Apart from the 2022 campaign, which saw the Cougars fall in the first round of the postseason and finish with an 8-2 record, Gilmer consistently guided Clay-Chalkville 10 or more wins, advancing to the Class 6A quarterfinals or beyond in six out of seven seasons.
The former Pinson Valley quarterback and University of Alabama alum will take over for former Hoover head coach Wade Waldrop, who resigned in December after leading the Bucs to a 16-9 record over two seasons. Waldrop has since accepted the head coaching position at Orange Beach.
The move was first reported by Fox Sports Radio’s D. Mark Mitchell.
