Hoover appears to be closing in on its next head football coach.

Drew Gilmer, who led Clay-Chalkville to two of the last three Class 6A state championships, is expected to leave the Cougars to take over the perennial Class 7A power, sources close to the situation indicated to AL.com.

IHeart Radio Host D. Mark Mitchell was first to report the news Saturday morning.

Gilmer would replace Wade Waldrop, who resigned in early December and was later named the head coach at Orange Beach High. Gilmer was in Orlando for next week’s Under Armour All-American Game and was unavailable for comment.

He would have to be officially approved by the Hoover City School Board.

In seven years at Clay-Chalkville, Gilmer went 81-12. He led the Cougars to a 14-0 record and an upset win over No. 1-ranked Saraland in this year’s Class 6A title game. In 2021, his team went 15-0 and won the 6A state title.

Clay won the last three 6A, Region 6 championships. Gilmer has a 20-5 playoff record at Clay and has guided the Cougars to the playoffs all seven seasons with two trips to the semifinal round and twice to the quarterfinals in addition to the two titles.

Gilmer, a longtime Clay-Chalkville assistant, took over for Jerry Hood in 2017. He spent seven years at Clay in several different roles before taking over as head coach.

He also worked at Pinson Valley, his alma mater, before joining the Cougars staff.