Former NFL head coach Lovie Smith was caught on video in an altercation with parents of an Arizona high school football team Friday.
Smith’s son Miles is the head coach of Mesa Desert Ridge High School’s football team, and Lovie recently joined their staff as well.
The elder Smith was seen on video berating parents of players on the team after equipment was thrown on the locker room floor and a photo of the scene was taken, per The Main Event Show.
The controversy comes after Miles Smith recently dismissed starting quarterback Gunner Brewer for “disrespect” of the head coach, according to the Arizona Republic. Other players pushed back on the decision in a meeting with coaches, and Miles Smith told them it was “his team,” and if they disagreed with the decision, they could leave the team.
Twelve of Brewer’s teammates, including five seniors, walked out of the meeting and were then suspended from the team, but still showed up Friday to help set up an inflatable jaguar the players run through and to support their teammates who stayed with the team. They were forbidden from helping by the coaching staff, leading to the incident caught on video.
Brewer’s mom says her son was kicked off the team for calling a different play than the one given to him in a game against Vail Cienaga High School on Oct. 2, after which Miles Smith asked to meet with Brewer, the Republic reported.
The meeting with the rest of the team occurred two days after Brewer’s dismissal. According to his mom, offensive lineman Will Stark stood up in the meeting and asked who wanted Brewer back on the team. Several players raised their hands. After they were suspended, their banners and equipment were removed from the locker room. Athletic director Kevin Swann said in a voice message that the suspended players could return for winter workouts and next season.
Lovie Smith served as an NFL head coach for the Bears, Buccaneers and Texans.
