Ex-NFL coach Lovie Smith in Desert Ridge football confrontation video

A viral video has surfaced showing former NFL coach Lovie Smith in a verbal altercation with a Mesa Desert Ridge football team booster last week.

The heated exchange stemmed from Desert Ridge's starting quarterback's dismissal and subsequent 12-player suspension, before the Jaguars' 49-7 home loss to Mesa Red Mountain on Oct. 9.

Smith, who serves on the Desert Ridge coaching staff under his son Miles Smith, is seen in the video physically held back by Miles.

"Do you understand that? Do not walk in that locker room again," Lovie said to the booster, who's not seen in the video. "You're talking to somebody else's kid."

Per the reporting from Steven McCollum of the pre game incident between coaching staff and parents from Friday Night ... This was

Lovie Smith and Head Coach Miles Smith reaction to the parents who were there Friday Night to help setup, and saw the equipment thrown on the locker room floor, and posters removed. Pictures were taken to document what happened, and this happened in the open, by the concession stands. This was a few hours before the game. I reported the incident happened, and here is the video.

— The Main Event Show (@TMESportsShow) October 13, 2026

The video initially was posted by The Main Event Show on X Oct. 12. The Arizona Republic first reported about the situation with Desert Ridge football the same day.

The suspended players, their parents and boosters were there to continue supporting the team and help set up for the game. But were allegedly forbidden from the locker room. Lovie Smith was visibly upset about a booster trespassing and taking photos of equipment and posters on the team's locker room floor.

The booster then apologized to Lovie, who further explained to another person at the scene about how the situation unfolded. Smith also claimed that the booster "took pictures of somebody else's son."

Lovie blurted as he walked away, "You don't work here," to the booster.

The 12 players were suspended as they walked out in support of their starting QB, Gunner Brewer. He was removed from the team on Oct. 5, following a dispute with Miles Smith about changing a play call on his own during their team's 14-12 win at Vail Cienega on Oct. 2, according to several parents who spoke to The Republic.

Kristie Stark, a former booster and the mother of suspended offensive lineman Will Stark, released a statement on behalf of the parents to The Republic about the confrontation with Lovie Smith.

"Parents also report a separate pregame confrontation involving (Desert Ridge) assistant coach Lovie Smith and football booster president, James Adams," Stark said. "Witnesses reportedly observed aggressive behavior and derogatory accusations from Lovie toward James during the interaction. ... Parents are asking school and district leadership to investigate the incident impartially."

Lovie Smith was a longtime NFL coach who led the Chicago Bears to their Super Bowl loss to the Indianapolis Colts during the 2006 season. He also had stints coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and in college football at Illinois.

The Republic has reached out to Desert Ridge officials, including Miles Smith and the athletic director, but still have not had any response as of late Wednesday afternoon.

The Republic's Richard Obert contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ex-NFL coach Lovie Smith in Desert Ridge football confrontation video