Wade Waldrop has resigned as the head football coach at Hoover High School, according to the school’s athletic director.

A statement from Harley Lamey said Waldrop’s resignation takes effect on Thursday.

“Hoover High School head football coach Wade Waldrop has submitted his resignation effective December 14,” Lamey’s statement said. “We would like to express our gratitude to coach Waldrop for his contributions to our football program during the past two years and thank him for investing in our student-athletes. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

“Following board approval, we will begin the process of finding our next head football coach.”

Waldrop was 16-9 in two seasons at Hoover. The Bucs were 11-2 in 2022, losing to eventual state champion Thompson in the Class 7A playoff semifinals after having beat the Warriors in the final game of the regular season.

In 2023, Hoover finished 5-7 and lost to Hewitt-Trussville in the second round. Hoover lost five of its first six games and finished fourth in Region 3.

It was Hoover’s first losing season since the Bucs had three straight sub-.500 records from 1996-98, according to research by the Alabama High School Football Historical Society.

Waldrop replaced Josh Niblett, who led Hoover to six state championships and a 171-26 record in 14 years. Waldrop is 116-84 in 18 seasons at Hoover, Florence, James Clemens and Chelsea.

This post will be updated.