Rush Propst
Thomas Rush Propst (born December 1957) is an American high school football coach from Ohatchee, Alabama, renowned for his extensive career leading programs in Alabama and Georgia to multiple state championships while also facing significant controversies related to recruiting, ethics, and personal conduct.[1][2][3] Propst began his coaching career in 1989 at Ashville High School (1989–1992), followed by Eufaula High School (1993–1996), Alba High School (1997), and Alma Bryant High School (1998), before achieving national prominence as head coach of Hoover High School from 1999 to 2007, where he compiled a 110-16 record and won five Alabama 6A state championships in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.[1][4][5] He moved to Georgia in 2008 to coach at Colquitt County High School, posting a 119-35 record over 11 seasons and securing back-to-back Georgia 7A state titles in 2014 and 2015, including a national ranking for the 2015 team.[6][5] After a brief stint at Valdosta High School in 2020 (later vacated due to forfeits), Propst returned to Alabama, coaching at Pell City High School in 2023 until his resignation in May 2024 amid legal issues, and in August 2025, he took an interim role at Coosa Christian School, where he reached his 300th career win in September 2025 and led the team to a 10-2 regular season record as of November 2025.[7][8][9] Across 33 seasons as of 2025, Propst holds a career record of 306-121, with seven state titles and 263 players signing college scholarships under his guidance.[2][8][9] Propst's career has been marked by media exposure and ethical scrutiny; he gained early fame through the MTV reality series Two-a-Days, which documented Hoover's 2006 season, and later featured in Netflix's 2021 docuseries Titletown High, chronicling Valdosta's 2020 campaign amid recruiting allegations.[4][10] Controversies include a 2007 investigation at Hoover involving grade-changing allegations, a 2019 termination from Colquitt County for ethics violations (later deemed wrongful), 2021 recruiting probes at Valdosta leading to his non-renewal, and 2024 legal troubles at Pell City tied to divorce proceedings and fund mishandling claims.[11][12][3] Despite these issues, Propst has been named Alabama Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year four times (1998, 2000, 2003, 2004) and remains a polarizing figure in high school football for his emphasis on discipline, player development, and winning at all costs.[2][7]Early life and education
Family background and childhood
Rush Propst was born in December 1957 in Ohatchee, a small rural community in Calhoun County, Alabama.[13] Growing up in this tight-knit, working-class environment, Propst was immersed in the traditions of Southern football culture from an early age. His family placed a strong emphasis on unity and perseverance, values instilled by his parents amid personal hardships, including their later battles with cancer—his father passing in 1994 and his mother in 2004.[14][13] Propst's childhood exposure to the sport came primarily through the pervasive influence of college and local high school football in rural Alabama. As a boy, he vividly recalled listening intently to University of Alabama Crimson Tide games on the radio, shouting in frustration at fumbles or interceptions, which ignited his lifelong obsession with the game.[14] Propst played football at Ohatchee High School under coach Ragan Clark, graduating in 1976.[13][2]College years and initial influences
Rush Propst attended Jacksonville State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He enrolled following his high school graduation in 1976 and became a non-scholarship walk-on wide receiver for the Gamecocks football team, participating during the 1976 and 1977 seasons. This experience provided him with hands-on exposure to college-level football strategies and team dynamics, contributing to his foundational understanding of the sport.[1][2] In 1977, while still a student at Jacksonville State, Propst served as a student assistant for the Ohatchee High School football team, his alma mater. This role allowed him to assist with practices and game preparation, bridging his playing experience with introductory coaching responsibilities and deepening his insight into player development and program management. Such activities during his college years helped cultivate his passion for football instruction, steering him toward a future in coaching.[11] Propst graduated in 1981, equipping him with the academic background necessary for a career in athletics. Although specific professors or peers from Jacksonville State are not prominently documented as direct mentors, his immersion in the university's athletic environment—through both playing and assisting—solidified his commitment to high school football coaching as a professional path. Following graduation, he transitioned into full-time assistant coaching roles, drawing on these early experiences to shape his approach.[11][2]Coaching career
Early positions in Alabama (1989–1998)
Propst began his head coaching career at Ashville High School in 1989, shortly after playing football at Jacksonville State University. Over four seasons through 1992, he guided the Bulldogs to a 25-20 overall record, including three playoff appearances and a 3-2 postseason mark. The program experienced notable improvement under his leadership, particularly in his final year when the team achieved a 12-2 finish, advancing deep into the playoffs. In 1993, Propst relocated to Eufaula High School, where he served as head coach for four years until 1996. His Tigers compiled a 24-20 record during this period, with two playoff berths and a 2-2 record in postseason play. This tenure allowed Propst to build experience managing a larger Class 5A program in southeast Alabama, contributing to steady competitiveness in a competitive region. Propst's time in coastal Alabama was brief but marked transitions. At Alba High School in 1997, he posted a 5-4 record in what proved to be the school's last season before merging with Grand Bay High to form Bayou La Batre High. The following year, he moved to the newly established Alma Bryant High School in Irvington, leading the Hurricanes to a dominant 10-0 regular-season record in their inaugural campaign, followed by a 2-1 playoff showing that advanced them to the third round; the team outscored opponents 420-61 overall, including eight shutouts.[15] These foundational roles in smaller and emerging programs enabled Propst to refine his coaching approach, emphasizing player discipline and mastery of blocking, tackling, and route-running fundamentals as core elements of team preparation.Hoover High School era (1999–2007)
Rush Propst was hired as head football coach at Hoover High School in 1999, taking over a program that had struggled with mediocrity in the largest classification of Alabama high school football. In his first season, Propst implemented a revamped offensive scheme, leading the Buccaneers to a 7-3 record and marking the beginning of a dramatic turnaround. By emphasizing discipline, speed, and innovative play-calling, he elevated Hoover from a regional contender to a national powerhouse within a few years, drawing widespread attention to the suburban Birmingham school's athletic program.[16][14] During his tenure from 1999 to 2007, Propst guided Hoover to five AHSAA Class 6A state championships in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, achieving an overall record of 110 wins and 16 losses. The team reached the state finals seven consecutive years from 2001 to 2007, including undefeated seasons in 2003 (15-0) and 2004 (15-0), during which Hoover outscored opponents by wide margins and secured national rankings. These accomplishments built on Propst's earlier coaching experiences in Alabama, where he honed strategies for high-stakes competition.[17][18][19] Propst's offensive innovations were central to Hoover's dominance, particularly his adoption of a wide-open spread offense that featured a no-huddle, hurry-up tempo with plays called every 20 seconds to exploit defensive fatigue. This approach, novel for Alabama high school football at the time, maximized the speed and athleticism of his players, resulting in high-scoring games and consistent playoff success. The system's emphasis on quick passes and perimeter runs transformed Hoover's attack into one of the most dynamic in the nation.[16][14] Under Propst, Hoover became a premier developer of college talent, with more than 60% of starters earning scholarships to Division I-A, I-AA, or Division II programs since 2001. Notable recruits included quarterback Jermaine Evans, who signed with Alabama, and wide receiver Travis McCall, who joined Auburn, among dozens of others who advanced to collegiate levels. Propst's focus on skill refinement and exposure through high-profile wins ensured that his program served as a pipeline for future professional prospects, solidifying its reputation for player preparation.[20][21]Colquitt County High School tenure (2008–2018)
Rush Propst was hired as head football coach at Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia, on January 30, 2008, following a 4-2 vote by the Colquitt County Board of Education.[22][23] He was formally introduced to the community on February 11, 2008, where he emphasized building a program focused on discipline and player development.[24] Under Propst, the Packers quickly transformed into a powerhouse in Georgia's Class 6A, leveraging his experience from Hoover High School to adapt high-tempo offensive strategies suited to the state's competitive landscape. By his third season in 2010, the team had reached the state playoffs, marking the start of consistent postseason appearances and establishing Colquitt County as a perennial contender in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).[25] Propst's tenure peaked with back-to-back GHSA Class 6A state championships in 2014 and 2015, culminating in undefeated seasons of 15-0 each year. In 2014, the Packers defeated Archer High School 28-24 in the championship game, securing their first state title since 1994.[26] The following year, Colquitt County repeated as champions with a 35-10 victory over Roswell High School, extending a winning streak to 30 games and finishing ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today.[27][28] This 2015 season earned the team national championship recognition from multiple polls, including High School Football America, highlighting the program's elite status. Over his 11 seasons from 2008 to 2018, Propst compiled an overall record of 119-35, with seven playoff appearances and four region titles.[29][30] A hallmark of Propst's program was its emphasis on player development, resulting in 131 athletes signing college scholarships during his time at Colquitt County—more than in all previous years of the program's history combined.[31][32] This contributed to his career total exceeding 250 scholarship recipients, with notable examples including 12 signees in 2009 alone, a school record at the time.[14] Propst fostered strong coaching staff dynamics by frequently adjusting roles to optimize performance, such as major reallocations ahead of the 2010 playoffs and additions to the varsity team in 2015 to support the championship runs.[33][34] Several assistants from his staff later advanced to head coaching positions across Georgia, underscoring the leadership pipeline he built.[35]Valdosta High School and interim roles (2020–2022)
In April 2020, Rush Propst was hired as head football coach at Valdosta High School, a program renowned for its storied history and high expectations for success. The Valdosta City Schools Board of Education approved the hire in a 5-4 vote, replacing Alan Rodemaker whose contract was not renewed. Propst's reputation from his successful tenure at Colquitt County High School, where he led the team to multiple state championships, positioned him as a strong candidate to revitalize the Wildcats.[36][37][38] Prior to joining Valdosta, Propst served as a volunteer consultant for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Blazers during the 2019 college football season, reuniting with head coach Bill Clark, a former assistant under Propst. In this unpaid role, Propst contributed to UAB's preparation and strategy, helping the team achieve a Conference USA Western Division championship with a 9-5 overall record. This interim position in Alabama provided a bridge back to coaching after his departure from Colquitt County, allowing Propst to maintain involvement in the sport at a higher level before transitioning to high school leadership in Georgia.[39][40] Propst's first season at Valdosta in 2020 was marked by significant adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted high school sports nationwide. He supported Georgia's decision to delay the season start by two weeks to September 5, arguing that earlier commencement would leave teams underprepared due to limited summer practices beginning June 8. The program implemented safety protocols including daily temperature checks, symptom screenings, equipment sanitization, and professional cleaning, while monitoring for COVID-19 clusters among position groups; four asymptomatic cases were reported in summer workouts, with affected players returning after recovery. These measures enabled the Wildcats to play a full schedule, finishing with an official 0-12 record (initially reported as 7-5 but forfeited by the GHSA due to the use of ineligible players), with no official playoff advancement.[41][42][43] In March 2021, Propst was placed on administrative leave amid external factors affecting the program. The Valdosta Board of Education subsequently voted 5-3 in April 2021 not to renew his contract, ending his tenure after one season. This decision reflected broader challenges in transitioning the program under Propst's leadership.[3][44]Recent coaching returns (2023–2025)
In January 2023, Propst joined Coosa Christian School in Gadsden, Alabama, as associate head coach and athletic director under Mark O'Bryant.[13] However, he departed the program in April 2023 to accept the head coaching position at Pell City High School, where he led the team through the 2023 season (1-9 record) before resigning on May 3, 2024, prior to the 2024 season.[45][46][7] Following a year away from the sidelines, Propst returned to coaching in August 2025 as interim head coach at Coosa Christian on a volunteer basis, replacing the suspended O'Bryant to help restore the program's playoff eligibility under a non-restrictive AHSAA probation.[8][47] He inherited a Conquerors squad that had finished 9-1 the previous season but faced eligibility challenges due to prior violations.[5] Propst emphasized rebuilding team culture and fundamentals, stating his goal was to foster renewal and competitiveness without the pressures of past controversies.[48] On September 26, 2025, Propst secured his 300th career victory in a 25-14 win over Class 6A Blount High School, marking a milestone in his tenure at Coosa Christian.[9] This achievement updated his career record from 296–117 through the 2023 season (adjusted for prior forfeits) to over 300 wins. As of November 15, 2025, Coosa Christian has advanced in the playoffs, including a 49-16 win over Lexington on November 14, bringing Propst's career record to approximately 306-119.[49][50]Achievements and legacy
Championships and win records
Rush Propst achieved significant success in high school football championships during his tenure at Hoover High School, where he led the Buccaneers to five Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 6A state titles in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.[19] These victories included a perfect 15-0 season in 2004, marking the program's first undefeated campaign under his leadership, and contributed to a streak of 30 consecutive wins spanning the 2004 and 2005 seasons.[51] Propst's Hoover teams made seven consecutive appearances in the AHSAA Class 6A state championship game from 2000 to 2006, compiling an impressive 35-3 playoff record over his nine-year stint.[11] At Colquitt County High School from 2008 to 2018, Propst secured two Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 6A state championships in 2014 and 2015, both culminating in undefeated 15-0 seasons that extended a 30-game winning streak.[52] The 2015 title earned national recognition, with Colquitt County ranked No. 1 in the final High School Football America poll, establishing it as the consensus national champion for that year. During his decade at Colquitt County, Propst's teams qualified for the playoffs in seven of ten seasons, amassing a 119-35 overall record.[6] Propst's career win total progressed steadily across multiple programs, beginning with early roles in Alabama from 1989 onward and accelerating through his dominant periods at Hoover and Colquitt County. By September 2025, while coaching at Coosa Christian School, he recorded his 300th career victory in a 42-7 win over Blount High School, bringing his overall head coaching record to 300-117 (as of September 2025).[9] This milestone highlighted his consistent playoff success, with teams under his guidance appearing in postseason play in over 80% of his seasons as head coach.[2]| Year | School | Championship | Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Hoover HS | AHSAA 6A | 14-0 | First 14-win season in program history |
| 2002 | Hoover HS | AHSAA 6A | 13-0 | Part of seven consecutive finals appearances |
| 2003 | Hoover HS | AHSAA 6A | 13-1 | - |
| 2004 | Hoover HS | AHSAA 6A | 15-0 | Undefeated season; 30-game win streak begins |
| 2005 | Hoover HS | AHSAA 6A | 15-0 | Undefeated season; concludes 30-game win streak |
| 2014 | Colquitt County HS | GHSA 6A | 15-0 | Undefeated; 30-game streak starts |
| 2015 | Colquitt County HS | GHSA 6A | 15-0 | National champions per HSFA poll |