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'''Rush Propst''' (born [[1958]] in Ohatchee, Calhoun County) was the head coach of the successful [[Hoover High School]] football team from [[1999]] to [[2007]], winning five state 6A [[Super Six|championships]] and earning several national rankings. He resigned effective after the 2007 season following scandals involving grade-changes for student athletes and personal impropriety.
'''Thomas Rush Propst''' (born December [[1957]] in [[Ohatchee]]) is a high school football coach, currently leading the [[Pell City High School]] Panthers. He was the head coach of the [[Hoover High School]] Buccaneers football team from [[1999]] to [[2007]], winning five state 6A [[Super Six|championships]] and posting several national rankings. He resigned after the 2007 season following scandals involving grade-changes for student athletes and personal impropriety.


Propst grew up in Ohatchee, playing under Ragan Clark at Ohatchee High School. He graduated in [[1976]] and walked on as a wide receiver at Jacksonville State University. After college, he worked as an assistant coach for eight years at Cleburne County High School in Heflin, Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, and [[Ashville High School]] in [[Ashville]], where he became head football coach in [[1989]].
Propst grew up in Ohatchee, playing under Ragan Clark at Ohatchee High School. He graduated in [[1976]] and walked on as a wide receiver at Jacksonville State University. After college, he worked as an assistant coach for eight years at Cleburne County High School in Heflin, Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, and [[Ashville High School]] in [[Ashville]], where he became head football coach in [[1989]].


Propst continued his head coaching career with stings at Eufala High School ([[1994]] - [[1996]]), and Alba High School in Bayou La Batre ([[1997]]). Alba merged the following year with Grand Bay High School to become Alma Bryant High School. Propst coached that school to a 12-2 record in [[1998]] before he was hired at Hoover.
Propst continued his head coaching career with stints at Eufala High School ([[1994]] - [[1996]]), and Alba High School in Bayou La Batre ([[1997]]). Alba merged the following year with Grand Bay High School to become Alma Bryant High School. Propst coached that school to a 12-2 record in [[1998]] before he was hired at Hoover.


Propst was initially hired as athletic director and football coach, but stepped down from the AD position after six months. Under Coach Propst, the Hoover Buccaneers adopted a pass-heavy spread offense. The team went 7-3 in [[1999]], then climbed to 14-1 in [[2000]], beating Daphne High School for the first of five state championships. ([[Super Six#2000|2000]], [[Super Six#2002|2002]], [[Super Six#2003|2003]], [[Super Six#2004|2004]] and [[Super Six#2005|2005]]). Hoover went to the title game again in [[2006]], losing to Prattville High School. The 2005 and 2006 seasons were the subject of the MTV reality series "[[Two-A-Days]]", which made Propst into a national figure.
Propst was initially hired as athletic director and football coach, but stepped down from the AD position after six months. Under Coach Propst, the Hoover Buccaneers adopted a pass-heavy spread offense. The team went 7-3 in [[1999]], then climbed to 14-1 in [[2000]], beating Daphne High School for the first of five state championships. ([[Super Six#2000|2000]], [[Super Six#2002|2002]], [[Super Six#2003|2003]], [[Super Six#2004|2004]] and [[Super Six#2005|2005]]). Hoover went to the title game again in [[2006]], losing to Prattville High School. The 2005 and 2006 seasons were the subject of the MTV reality series "[[Two-A-Days]]", which made Propst into a national figure.
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The [[2007]] season was marked by continuous rumors of scandal, resignations by school officials, and a detailed investigation of Propst and Hoover's entire athletics program. The investigation found serious academic improprieties and resulted in Propst's resignation. Under his agreement with the [[Hoover School Board]], Propst will step down as head coach after the 2007 playoffs and remain in an administrative position through [[August 31]], [[2008]].
The [[2007]] season was marked by continuous rumors of scandal, resignations by school officials, and a detailed investigation of Propst and Hoover's entire athletics program. The investigation found serious academic improprieties and resulted in Propst's resignation. Under his agreement with the [[Hoover School Board]], Propst will step down as head coach after the 2007 playoffs and remain in an administrative position through [[August 31]], [[2008]].


==Controversy==
Propst was named Coach of the Year by the ''[[Birmingham News]]'' in each of his championship seasons and by the [[Monday Morning Quarterback Club]] in [[2000]] and [[2005]]. His overall head-coaching record was 176-59 (108-15 at Hoover).
In June [[2007]] athletic director [[Jerry Browning]] resigned, citing differences with principal [[Richard Bishop]] (a former JSU team-mate of Propst's). At that time, Browning expressed concern over reports of grade-changes made for certain athletes that he had turned over to [[Hoover City Schools]] superintendent [[Andy Craig]]. Craig announced that an investigation would be carried out by former federal judge [[Sam Pointer]].
 
Both of Propst's parents died of cancer (his father in [[1994]] and his mother ten years later). He has a wife, Tammy and three children from that marriage: Jacob, Bryan and Leanne. Propst has acknowledged that he is the father of at least one other child as the result of the extramarital affair that led, in part, to his resignation from Hoover High.
 
==Controversies==
In June [[2007]] athletic director [[Jerry Browning]] resigned, citing differences with principal [[Richard Bishop]] (a former JSU team-mate of Propst's). At that time, Browning expressed concern over reports of grade-changes made for certain athletes that he had turned over to [[Hoover City Schools]] superintendent [[Andy Craig]]. Craig announced that an investigation would be carried out by former federal judge [[Sam Pointer Jr]].


At the same time, rumors about Propst's personal life were swirling. Reporter [[Hunter Ford]] discussed allegations of an long-term affair and a "second family" on the air during a broadcast of the [[Paul Finebaum Radio Network]] from [[WJOX-FM]]. Ford was fired from the ''[[Hoover Gazette]]'' when publisher [[John Junkin]] called the station immediately after the segment.
At the same time, rumors about Propst's personal life were swirling. Reporter [[Hunter Ford]] discussed allegations of an long-term affair and a "second family" on the air during a broadcast of the [[Paul Finebaum Radio Network]] from [[WJOX-FM]]. Ford was fired from the ''[[Hoover Gazette]]'' when publisher [[John Junkin]] called the station immediately after the segment.
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The Hoover School Board, under pressure from Hoover mayor [[Tony Petelos]], decided to make Pointer's full report public. The report identified assistant principal [[Carol Martin]] as the instigator of the grade-changing incidents, repeating claims that she had an affair with Propst. It also reported that bank records confirmed that Propst had provided financial support to a family in [[Pell City]].
The Hoover School Board, under pressure from Hoover mayor [[Tony Petelos]], decided to make Pointer's full report public. The report identified assistant principal [[Carol Martin]] as the instigator of the grade-changing incidents, repeating claims that she had an affair with Propst. It also reported that bank records confirmed that Propst had provided financial support to a family in [[Pell City]].


Propst came under further scrutiny when [[Hanceville High School]] complained to the [[Alabama High School Athletic Association]] that a former player of theirs, Tristan Purifoy, did not transfer properly to Hoover High and was therefore ineligible. On [[October 23]], [[2007]], the ASHAA ruled that Purifoy was indeed ineligible, and that the Bucs would have to forfeit all games in which Purifoy played. The investigation resulted in four games being forfeited, including a 1-0 forfeit loss to crosstown rival [[Spain Park High School]], the first loss to the Jaguars in the history of the teams' rivalry. Despite the forfeits, the Bucs still qualified for the ASHAA playoffs by defeating Oak Mountain High on October 26, thereby securing the fourth seed in Class 6A Region 6.
Propst came under further scrutiny when [[Hanceville High School]] complained to the [[Alabama High School Athletic Association]] that one of their players did not transfer properly to Hoover High and should have been ineligible. On [[October 23]], [[2007]], the ASHAA ruled that the Bucs would have to forfeit the four games in which he played. Despite the forfeits, the Bucs still qualified for the ASHAA playoffs by defeating [[Oak Mountain High School]] on [[October 26]], securing the fourth seed in Class 6A Region 6.
 
At a special meeting of the Hoover Board of Education on [[October 30]], [[2007]], Propst announced that he would resign, continuing to coach the team as far as they progress in the 2007 playoffs. After that, he was to be transferred to an administrative assistant position, where he would serve until [[August 31]], [[2008]]. In a 30-minute address to the board and a large crowd inside the board chambers, Propst tearfully admitted to his extramarital affair, but not to any school-related wrongdoings.


Propst was named Coach of the Year by the ''[[Birmingham News]]'' in each of his championship seasons and by the [[Monday Morning Quarterback Club]] in [[2000]] and [[2005]]. His overall head-coaching record is 176-59 (108-15 at Hoover).
On [[January 30]], 2008, Propst was named head coach of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia. He was placed on administrative leave by the Colquitt County School System in February [[2019]] during an investigation of "personnel issues." He accepted a coaching job at USA Academy in Coosada, Elmore County, then left to succeed Alan Rodemaker as head coach of Valdosta High School in Georgia.


Both of Propsts parents died of cancer (his father in [[1994]] and his mother ten years later). He has a wife (Tammy) and three children (Jacob, Bryan and Leanne).
In February [[2021]], Michael "Nub" Nelson, director of the Valdosta Touchdown Club, accused Probst of using program funds for personal use and for enlisting his help to pay players. Nelson was dismissed from his position soon later. In March a recording of a May 2020 conversation between Probst and Nelson circulated online. In the recording, Probst made claims that several college football players at the University of Alabama and University of Georgia had been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by boosters.


==Resignation==
Probst and his Valdosta Wildcats football team were featured in the August 2021 Netflix series "Titletown High", created by former "Two-A-Days" producer Jason Sciavicco. After the 2020–2021 season the Georgia High School Association announced sanctions against Valdosta and Propst's contract was not renewed. He moved to Piedmont, Mobile County. In September Propst was admitted to [[St Vincent's Birmingham]] with pneumonia caused by [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19]].
At a special meeting of the Hoover Board of Education on October 30, 2007, Propst announced that he would resign, continuing to coach the team as far as they progress in the 2007 playoffs. After that, he will be transferred to an administrative assistant position, where he will serve until August 31, 2008.


In a 30-minute address to the board and a large crowd inside the board chambers, Propst tearfully admitted to a relationship outside his marriage and a child as a result of that relationship, but no other wrongdoing. "I am remorseful for what I have done. I have failed you as a community. I have failed you as a board, and especially I have failed you (Superintendent) Andy (Craig)," Propst said. "I made mistakes. I could have done things differently, but I don't admit wrongdoing inside the walls of Hoover High School."
In January [[2023]] Propst was hired as associate head coach under [[Mark O'Bryant]] for the AHSAA Division 1A [[Coosa Christian School|Coosa Christian Conquerors]] in [[Gadsden]]. Three months later he was hired by [[Pell City High School]] as head coach of the Panthers football team. His first season ended with a 1-9 record. A resolution not to renew his contract appeared on the [[Pell City Board of Education]] agenda for [[April 24]], [[2024]], but no such motion was made.


==DVDs==
{{Start box}}
Propst has been featured in a [[DVD]] title "Building A Championship Football Program 12 Months A Year," published in 2007.
{{Succession box | title=Head Football Coach of [[Hoover High School]] | before=[[Gerald Gann]] | after=[[Josh Niblett]] | years=[[1999]]–[[2007]]}}
{{Succession box | title=Head Football Coach of [[Coosa Christian School]] | before= | after=[[Mark O'Bryant]] | years=[[2023]]}}
{{Succession box | title=Head Football Coach of [[Pell City High School]] | before= | after= | years=[[2023]]}}
{{End box}}


==References==
==References==
* "Rush Propst." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 31 Oct 2007, 06:12 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 31 Oct 2007 [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rush_Propst&oldid=168251741].
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rush_Propst Rush Propst]" (October 31, 2007) Wikipedia - accessed October 31, 2007
* Lyons, Patrick J. (October 17, 2007) "[http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/storm-clouds-over-a-powerhouse-football-coach/ Storm Clouds over a Powerhouse Football Coach]." ''The New York Times''.
* Lyons, Patrick J. (October 17, 2007) "[http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/storm-clouds-over-a-powerhouse-football-coach/ Storm Clouds over a Powerhouse Football Coach]." ''The New York Times''.
* Srinivasan, David (July 2004) "[http://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/Magazine/2004/jul/alabama.html Instant Success: Hoover High School's Rush Propst]" ''American Football Monthly''.
* Srinivasan, David (July 2004) "[http://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/Magazine/2004/jul/alabama.html Instant Success: Hoover High School's Rush Propst]" ''American Football Monthly''.
* Stock, Erin and Jon Solomon (June 23, 2007) "Superintendent pledges independent probe." ''Birmingham News''.
* Stock, Erin and Jon Solomon (June 23, 2007) "Superintendent pledges independent probe." {{BN}}
* Scarbinsky, Kevin (June 24, 2007) "Hoover High may be own worst enemy." ''Birmingham News''.
* Scarbinsky, Kevin (June 24, 2007) "Hoover High may be own worst enemy." {{BN}}
* Stock, Erin and Jon Solomon (June 26, 2007) "No promises in Hoover probe." ''Birmingham News''.
* Stock, Erin and Jon Solomon (June 26, 2007) "No promises in Hoover probe." {{BN}}
* Stock, Erin (June 28, 2007) "Principal was warned off Propst, lawyers say." ''Birmingham News''.
* Stock, Erin (June 28, 2007) "Principal was warned off Propst, lawyers say." {{BN}}
* Stock, Erin and Jon Solomon (October 11, 2007) "Hoover board to release full report." ''Birmingham News''.
* Stock, Erin and Jon Solomon (October 11, 2007) "Hoover board to release full report." {{BN}}
* Solomon, Jon (October 14, 2007) "Questions, answers in Hoover." ''Birmingham News''.
* Solomon, Jon (October 14, 2007) "Questions, answers in Hoover." {{BN}}
* Solomon, Jon (October 23, 2007) "Hoover must forfeit games due to ineligible player." ''Birmingham News''.
* Solomon, Jon (October 23, 2007) "Hoover must forfeit games due to ineligible player." {{BN}}
* Steinbauer, Peter (October 18, 2007) "AHSAA Probes Player's Status." ''Birmingham News''.
* Steinbauer, Peter (October 18, 2007) "AHSAA Probes Player's Status." {{BN}}
* Solomon, Jon and Erin Stock (October 30, 2007) "Rush Propst resigns but will coach through end of playoffs." ''Birmingham News''.
* Solomon, Jon and Erin Stock (October 30, 2007) "Rush Propst resigns but will coach through end of playoffs." {{BN}}
* Glier, Ray (February 5, 2008) "[http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1185&CID=770341 Rush Propst: A second chance at success]" ''Rivals High''
* Solomon, John (June 22, 2008) "Propst on different turf but goal remains same." {{BN}}
* Bean, John (February 26, 2019) "Former Hoover football coach Rush Propst suspended in Georgia." {{BN}}
* Stephenson, Creg (February 23, 2021) "Rush Propst under investigation for alleged misconduct in Georgia, reports say." {{BN}}
* Keel, Fletcher (April 13, 2021) "[https://www.wctv.tv/2021/04/13/valdosta-football-barred-from-2021-playoffs-will-forfeit-games-from-2020/ Valdosta football barred from 2021 playoffs, fined $7,500, four players ruled ineligible]" WCTV.tv
* Lambe, Stacy (August 30, 2021) "[https://www.etonline.com/titletown-high-what-to-know-about-valdosta-and-coach-rush-propst-171067 'Titletown High' Docuseries: What to Know About Valdosta and Coach Rush Propst]" ''Entertainment Tonight'' online
* Holcomb, Todd (September 23, 2021) "Rush Propst hospitalized with COVID, pneumonia." ''Atlanta Journal-Constitution''
* Whitmire, Kyle (August 29, 2023) "Rush Propst’s character is yet another school’s destiny." {{AL}}
* Thomas, Ben (April 24, 2024) "Why was Rush Propst nearly fired by Pell City? ‘Jealousy and vindictiveness,’ one supporter says." {{AL}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://blog.al.com/bn/2007/07/1362_001.pdf Letter from attorneys for Richard Bishop to the Hoover Board of Education, reprinted by ''The Birmingham News'' and al.com, July 28, 2007]
* [http://blog.al.com/bn/2007/07/1362_001.pdf Letter from attorneys for Richard Bishop to the Hoover Board of Education, reprinted by ''The Birmingham News'' and al.com, July 28, 2007]
* [http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/Documents/FinalReport.pdf "The Pointer Report," official report of investigation into grade-changing charges]
* [http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/Documents/FinalReport.pdf "The Pointer Report," official report of investigation into grade-changing charges]
* [http://hooverbuc.com/content.asp?SID=1270&CID=62052 Hooverbuc.com, Hoover Bucs boosters website]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Propst, Rush}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Propst, Rush}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ashville faculty]]
[[Category:Ashville faculty]]
[[Category:Hoover faculty]]
[[Category:Hoover faculty]]
[[Category:Football coaches]]
[[Category:Football coaches]]

Revision as of 13:58, 24 April 2024

Thomas Rush Propst (born December 1957 in Ohatchee) is a high school football coach, currently leading the Pell City High School Panthers. He was the head coach of the Hoover High School Buccaneers football team from 1999 to 2007, winning five state 6A championships and posting several national rankings. He resigned after the 2007 season following scandals involving grade-changes for student athletes and personal impropriety.

Propst grew up in Ohatchee, playing under Ragan Clark at Ohatchee High School. He graduated in 1976 and walked on as a wide receiver at Jacksonville State University. After college, he worked as an assistant coach for eight years at Cleburne County High School in Heflin, Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, and Ashville High School in Ashville, where he became head football coach in 1989.

Propst continued his head coaching career with stints at Eufala High School (1994 - 1996), and Alba High School in Bayou La Batre (1997). Alba merged the following year with Grand Bay High School to become Alma Bryant High School. Propst coached that school to a 12-2 record in 1998 before he was hired at Hoover.

Propst was initially hired as athletic director and football coach, but stepped down from the AD position after six months. Under Coach Propst, the Hoover Buccaneers adopted a pass-heavy spread offense. The team went 7-3 in 1999, then climbed to 14-1 in 2000, beating Daphne High School for the first of five state championships. (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005). Hoover went to the title game again in 2006, losing to Prattville High School. The 2005 and 2006 seasons were the subject of the MTV reality series "Two-A-Days", which made Propst into a national figure.

The 2007 season was marked by continuous rumors of scandal, resignations by school officials, and a detailed investigation of Propst and Hoover's entire athletics program. The investigation found serious academic improprieties and resulted in Propst's resignation. Under his agreement with the Hoover School Board, Propst will step down as head coach after the 2007 playoffs and remain in an administrative position through August 31, 2008.

Propst was named Coach of the Year by the Birmingham News in each of his championship seasons and by the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in 2000 and 2005. His overall head-coaching record was 176-59 (108-15 at Hoover).

Both of Propst's parents died of cancer (his father in 1994 and his mother ten years later). He has a wife, Tammy and three children from that marriage: Jacob, Bryan and Leanne. Propst has acknowledged that he is the father of at least one other child as the result of the extramarital affair that led, in part, to his resignation from Hoover High.

Controversies

In June 2007 athletic director Jerry Browning resigned, citing differences with principal Richard Bishop (a former JSU team-mate of Propst's). At that time, Browning expressed concern over reports of grade-changes made for certain athletes that he had turned over to Hoover City Schools superintendent Andy Craig. Craig announced that an investigation would be carried out by former federal judge Sam Pointer Jr.

At the same time, rumors about Propst's personal life were swirling. Reporter Hunter Ford discussed allegations of an long-term affair and a "second family" on the air during a broadcast of the Paul Finebaum Radio Network from WJOX-FM. Ford was fired from the Hoover Gazette when publisher John Junkin called the station immediately after the segment.

Ford's July 4, 2007 column for Bessemer's Western Star further detailed the anonymous allegations of three children born out of wedlock. That paper apologized later for printing the allegations, but did not formally retract them. Propst consistently refused to acknowledge any discussion of the subject.

When Bishop's contract was not renewed by the school board, his attorneys sent a letter to the board which repeated the claims about Propst's private life -- adding rumors of an affair with a Hoover teacher and another school official. It went on to say that Craig had instructed Bishop not to investigate those claims. That letter was obtained by the Birmingham News and published in their July 28, 2007 edition. Propst's attorney denied all of those allegations.

The Hoover School Board, under pressure from Hoover mayor Tony Petelos, decided to make Pointer's full report public. The report identified assistant principal Carol Martin as the instigator of the grade-changing incidents, repeating claims that she had an affair with Propst. It also reported that bank records confirmed that Propst had provided financial support to a family in Pell City.

Propst came under further scrutiny when Hanceville High School complained to the Alabama High School Athletic Association that one of their players did not transfer properly to Hoover High and should have been ineligible. On October 23, 2007, the ASHAA ruled that the Bucs would have to forfeit the four games in which he played. Despite the forfeits, the Bucs still qualified for the ASHAA playoffs by defeating Oak Mountain High School on October 26, securing the fourth seed in Class 6A Region 6.

At a special meeting of the Hoover Board of Education on October 30, 2007, Propst announced that he would resign, continuing to coach the team as far as they progress in the 2007 playoffs. After that, he was to be transferred to an administrative assistant position, where he would serve until August 31, 2008. In a 30-minute address to the board and a large crowd inside the board chambers, Propst tearfully admitted to his extramarital affair, but not to any school-related wrongdoings.

On January 30, 2008, Propst was named head coach of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia. He was placed on administrative leave by the Colquitt County School System in February 2019 during an investigation of "personnel issues." He accepted a coaching job at USA Academy in Coosada, Elmore County, then left to succeed Alan Rodemaker as head coach of Valdosta High School in Georgia.

In February 2021, Michael "Nub" Nelson, director of the Valdosta Touchdown Club, accused Probst of using program funds for personal use and for enlisting his help to pay players. Nelson was dismissed from his position soon later. In March a recording of a May 2020 conversation between Probst and Nelson circulated online. In the recording, Probst made claims that several college football players at the University of Alabama and University of Georgia had been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by boosters.

Probst and his Valdosta Wildcats football team were featured in the August 2021 Netflix series "Titletown High", created by former "Two-A-Days" producer Jason Sciavicco. After the 2020–2021 season the Georgia High School Association announced sanctions against Valdosta and Propst's contract was not renewed. He moved to Piedmont, Mobile County. In September Propst was admitted to St Vincent's Birmingham with pneumonia caused by COVID-19.

In January 2023 Propst was hired as associate head coach under Mark O'Bryant for the AHSAA Division 1A Coosa Christian Conquerors in Gadsden. Three months later he was hired by Pell City High School as head coach of the Panthers football team. His first season ended with a 1-9 record. A resolution not to renew his contract appeared on the Pell City Board of Education agenda for April 24, 2024, but no such motion was made.

Preceded by:
Gerald Gann 		Head Football Coach of Hoover High School
1999–2007 		Succeeded by:
Josh Niblett
Preceded by:
' 		Head Football Coach of Coosa Christian School
2023 		Succeeded by:
Mark O'Bryant
Preceded by:
' 		Head Football Coach of Pell City High School
2023 		Succeeded by:
'

References

External links

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