VESTAVIA, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School has announced that a former rebel will return as the school's new head football coach. [28][29] Despite the forfeits, the Bucs finished the regular season with a 4-5 record and qualified for the AHSAA 6A playoffs. Calhoun previously served as offensive coordinator for two seasons at Colquitt County High School in south Georgia. [12] After community uproar over the interview, Propst decided to stay at Colquitt County.[13]. A meet-and-greet event for Robert and his wife Anne Evans will be held on Monday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at Vestavia Hills High School. In his column in the edition of July 4, 2007 of The Western Star, Ford reported that a number of sources, none of which would allow their name to be used, said that Propst's alleged affair also included a child born out of wedlock. He will have a rebuilding job on his hands at Spain Park. He was named Region Coach of the Year at the end of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Ryan Herring, head coach in Pierce County, Georgia, is another second-generation football coach whose dad became friends with Coach Anderson back in the early 1970s when they were both coaching in Birmingham. When my career is done, if I can even be in the same sentence or book as Coach Anderson, I have done a couple of things right. Hire A Vestavia Hills Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. [33] He appealed [34] and was instead given a reprimand. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com). . All rights reserved. His playoff record is 47-29 while his region record stands at 152-71 which is the most region wins in state history. He takes over a proud Benjamin Russell program that hasnt won a playoff game since reaching the 6A semifinals in 2015 under coach Danny Horn. We just have to follow him and make our own footprints and build on his legacy. However, in Propst's last game as Hoover's head coach, they lost in the third round to another crosstown rival Vestavia Hills 21-17, a game considered by many Alabama sportswriters to be the biggest rivalry in the state. Coach Anderson says that those FCA camps helped to keep their marriage strong for decades, and its also where he got the idea to start an FCA group in his home. Everyone who knows Coach Anderson knows that this is why he did it, and what he cared about mostpositively impacting the lives of everyone around him. Congratulations to the 2022-23 Vestavia Hills City Schools Teachers of the Year! When we got here, we were playing him at receiver, splitting time at quarterback. You cant always get that in practice., RELATED: American Christians Chris Smelley steps down. [22] Bishop originally announced that there was nothing to be concerned about, but Craig overruled Bishop and announced that a full investigation would be carried out, to be headed by former federal judge Sam C. Pointer, Jr.[23][24]. He should be called the head coach, Calhoun said. I am excited to be a part of this rich football state. Some Browning expressed concerns over reports that grades for certain athletes had been altered to make them eligible for college play, and made those concerns known to Hoover City Schools Superintendent Andy Craig in a meeting in April. Rebels Helping Rebels is a grace fund used to financially support students in need. Calhoun was hired as the new head coach at Colquitt County High School in Georgia. Meek was the teams coach for 11 of the 12 years the school has had a program. I dont think whoever they could have hired could fill those shoes. The Jaguars have suffered through four straight losing seasons and went just 2-8 a year ago. In 1998, Propst coached Alma Bryant High School, the school that resulted from Alba's merger with the high school in Grand Bay, Alabama. I called him a lot and visited him several times picking his brain for football advice. Hazel Green coach Smitty Grider shares words with the referee as Ft. Payne plays Hazel Green at Hazel Green High School Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 in Hazel Green, Ala.Eric Schultz | AL.com. His team finished the season with an on-field record of 10-2 (6-6 including the four forfeit losses). Thomas Rush Propst (born December 1957) is a high school football coach who currently serves as athletic director and associate football coach at Coosa Christian School in Gadsden, Alabama. He started improving and started to progress. Here he shares some of his thoughts on stepping into the Vestavia program as longtime coach Buddy Anderson retires after becoming the winningest football coach in Alabama history in his 43 years coaching the Rebels. "I am remorseful for what I have done. 18. VHSC Girls Staff U12-U19. He takes over a Northridge program that Mike Vickery rebuilt before leaving for Pelham. As usual, the high school football offseason has been filled with coaching changes throughout the state maybe more than most years. I would love to be here as long as he was, thats for sure., To begin building his legacy at Vestavia Hills, Calhoun will shape the program in his image with five new assistants, including a new football operations director, Mickey Reville. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com). Invite the coach In addition to football, he was a two-year starter on the basketball team and even though Ohatchee did not have a track program, he checked out of school one afternoon and won the District 100-yard dash his senior year. Propst continued to deny the allegations. We wanted to see our guys compete and see them make some plays. Coaching is a commitment to working with kids. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Rush Propst. American football player and coach (born 1957), Dismissal from Colquitt County High School, Sanctions imposed against Valdosta High School, "Rush Propst returning to high school coaching in Alabama", "Hoover's Rush Propst gets head football coaching job at Georgia high school", "Propst considers college job, chooses to stay at CCHS", "High School Football Coach Relishes His Second Chance", "2010 Georgia High School Football State Championship Bracket", "2011 Georgia Boys State Football Playoff Bracket: GHSA Class AAAAA", "Norcross rallies to win state high school football championship", "Three teams win their first state championships", "Superintendent pledges independent probe", "Letter from attorneys for Richard Bishop to the Hoover Board of Education, reprinted by, "Hoover must forfeit games due to ineligible player", "Rush Propst resigns but will coach through end of playoffs", "Hoover (Ala.) High coach agrees to step down", "Rush Propst suspended a year for head-butting own player in this video, will appeal", "Colquitt County coach Propst appeals one-year suspension | Prep Zone: High School Sports blog", "Propst suspension dropped, will receive reprimand - WALB.com, South Georgia News, Weather, Sports", "School board relieves Propst of coaching duties", "Propst investigation cites pill incidents, dishonesty, insubordination", "MINUTES Georgia Professional Standards Commission", "Valdosta football barred from 2021 playoffs, fined $7,500, four players ruled ineligible", Amazon.com: "Building A Championship Football Program 12 Months A Year," by Rush Propst, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rush_Propst&oldid=1134535480, Jacksonville State Gamecocks football players, High school football coaches in Georgia (U.S. state), Articles with dead external links from April 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 04:49. What I expect from this team is to give 100 percent. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com). [27], 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. When I asked Jeff to share a lesson he learned from him as a player, he said: Tough times dont last. @1rebelathletics. Before Mondays opening fall practice, the Rebels had already experienced something new. He now takes over the tradition-rich Toros. I may have some different tactics, but when you get down to the basics of our program, the foundation coach Anderson has already laid is absolutely fantastic. Anderson attended Thomasville High School and played football but not for his father who had retired because he said he did not wish to coach his sons. John Rodgers will coach linebackers after working with Newton in Hartselle and Vestavia alumnus and former Spain Park assistant Patrick Bonovitch will coach running backs. Cole Turner is a senior receiver. When my dad passed away, he was one of the first to call, and we talked for over an hour. This year felt right. At the conclusion of the 2020 season, his 31-year head coaching record stood at 307-96 (.762 win percentage).[2]. He was signed as a tight end but ended up playing tackle for the Bulldogs. He is definitely in a league of his own. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Other notable hires: Ham Barnett, St. Pauls; Markus Cook, Vigor; Derone Fagan, Sidney Lanier; Hugh Fountain, W.S. He won 77 games with the Toros and the 2015 6A title. Propst was eventually promoted to head football coach at Ashville High, serving from 1989 to 1993. In January of 1972, three Vestavia Hills High School coaches decided to head off campus for a quick lunch. There are so many predators out there and its scary to me. He is a Florence native and longtime Decatur offensive coordinator. The Gazette went out of business about five weeks later. Robert Evans, Vestavia Hills After Buddy Anderson won 346 games in 43 years, Vestavia Hills has now had two coaching changes. 1. Director of Athletics - Vestavia Hills City Schools, Administrative Athletic Director, Varsity Head Coach - Softball, Assistant Athletic Director - Liberty Park, Head 7th Grade Football, Asst. He and his father are also one of only two father-son pairs to be inducted into the Alabama High School Hall of Fame. He won 99 games with the Green Wave and took the team to a state title game. Hes been the teams defensive coordinator for six years under Dedrick Sumpter and then Melvin Pete Jr. Coleman has brought back several former Williamson and Mobile prep stars to join his staff, including Jamarcus Russell and Sherman Williams. All rights reserved. Coach, Assistant Athletic Director - Pizitz, Head Coach - 7th Football, 8th Women's Basketball, Assistant Athletic Director - Pizitz, Head Coach - Pizitz Wrestling, Varsity Head Coach - Men's Golf, Asst. The DVD outlines the steps to build a successful gridiron program, including the preparation and responsibilities of a coaching staff including the importance of building a booster club.[41]. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Vestavia Hills Football! New coach Sean Calhoun said Smith would be the Rebels' best offensive lineman in 2021. You hear about Texas and Florida and Georgia and California talked about, but Alabama will go toe-to-toe with every team in every one of those states. Rigby comes in after a successful stint at Eufaula and does have talent returning, including sophomore running back Anthony Rogers and senior offensive tackle Vysen Lang. Greenville has been an annual threat in 5A but hasnt won a state title since 1994. And I know that Buddy Anderson will carry on making a difference in the lives of young people. The Mustangs went 9-3 in 2021. Calhoun went 4 and 6 this past season at Vestavia. This team has a great nucleus and a great senior class. Copyright 2022 WBRC. Calhoun played as a defensive back and quarterback for Valdosta State University from 2000 to 2004 and later joined the teams coaching staff. Lane is probably a little bit heavier and Andrew is a little bit longer. Right now, hes in a battle with Forte Edmonds.. Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. With technology our kids are exposed to so much. One was the competition. Watch the 2022 AHSAA Football Playoffs Vestavia Hills High School vs. Thompson High School - 11/12/2022 live and on demand online on the NFHS Network . Its exciting and a little nerve-wracking taking over a program that has been in such great hands for 43 years. RT @1rebelbaseball: Schedule changes for tomorrow: The Varsity DH scheduled for tomorrow @ Austin has been moved to tomorrow @ Sammy Dunn Field starting @ 4:00 The Freshman DH scheduled for tomorrow @ Sammy Dunn Field has been moved to Cullman starting . Fundamentally my ideals and values are the exact same. He can run, hes smart and he also plays basketball. When the breaks of the game go against us, we dont let up, we go harder., Finally, I asked Coach Anderson what led him to choose 2020 as his last to coach high school ball. We have the pieces of the puzzle here, and its my job to move them around to make that product. Select Year: 1970 <-- 2016 <- 2017 -> 2018 --> 2022. The Bucs have had just three coaches since Rush Propst took over in 1999. By WBRC Staff. He graduated from Jacksonville State in 1981 with a degree in Physical Education. Coach Anderson had been taken on as a student teacher in December of 1971, and this was most certainly not the way he wanted to receive a promotion. 2022-2023 VHSC Boys Staffing. And I know God still has a plan for me, I just dont know what all it will be yet.. Orange Beach head coach Chase Smith in action during a 7-on-7 prep football tournament at University of South Alabama on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell | preps@al.com). People have talked about filling his shoes, but I dont look at it that way. Hes definitely a college football player. He was named state coach of the year three times and the Vestavia Hills football field is named in his honor. RELATED: DuBose confident in Orange Beachs future. RELATED: Who is the states best active coach? Robert Evans is the new Vestavia Hills football coach. I dont think its any kind of secret that people talk about Vestavia not being very athletic, he said. They also face a brutal Region 2 schedule that includes Auburn, Central-Phenix City, Opelika and Prattville among others. During his 42 seasons with the Rebels, Anderson became the winningest football coach at any level of play in Alabama history and was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame. Do we have as many as the top teams in our region? Congratulations to Robert Evans, who has been named the new Vestavia Hills High School head football coach. Fax: 205-402-5354. webmaster@vhcs.us (Ironically, Ford had previously advocated in a Gazette column that Propst be hired to fill the then-vacant head coach position at the University of Alabama at Birmingham). We went to UABs 7-on-7 tournament, Calhoun said. Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes directs his team during 7-on-7 football action at Samford University in Homewood, Ala., Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Any games that the five players played in were forfeited. "Coach Anderson had an amazing career and is an amazing man, and I look forward to meeting with him and learning from him so we can continue to grow this program.". He runs the show and keeps this whole place in line. Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. "His values and commitment to excellence are aligned with those of our school system and community. Football Staff Vestavia Hills Football Staff Players (99) Staff (2) Robert Evans Head Coach Are you the coach? Thomas Rush Propst (born December 1957) is a high school football coach who currently serves as athletic director and associate football coach at Coosa Christian School in Gadsden, Alabama. Pinson Valley coach Lee Guess directs his team during 7-on-7 football action at Samford University in Homewood, Ala., Tuesday, June 28, 2022. [17] In 2012, Colquitt finished 10-4 after losing 41-27 to the eventual state champions, Norcross High School, in the state semifinal game. Former Alabama wide receiver Nikita Stover replaces veteran Steve Meek at Decatur Heritage. If you have a disability or face any barriers accessing website content, please contact (205) 402-5100 or email webmaster@vestavia.k12.al.us. Tough and hard-nosed is true, but we have more athletes than that notion. Thats what really matters. People do know were hard-nosed. He will lead our football program into the future with the integrity that has been the foundation of our program. Athletic Trainer David Beland dbeland@hoover.k12.al.us (256) 604-9948. #1REBEL. Every team has two things: good coaches and good players. Propst was relieved of coaching duties following the 2018 season. Not that many high school teams in the nation have as many as Thompson. He will have to guide the team through a new class as the Lions make the jump from 4A to 5A. Vestavia Hills Magazineis publishedquarterly by Guess was Pinsons offensive coordinator last season and was wide receivers coach for five years before that. It was an honor meeting him. The Valdosta State Blazers won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2007 while Calhoun served as a running backs coach. Josh Niblett followed with six state titles in 14 years. Thank the good Lord we found a house, Calhoun said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. [14][15] In 2010, he led Colquitt County to the GHSA Class 5A State Championship Game. And probably not as many as Hewitt-Trussville and Hoover. Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. One of the first things they did in their efforts to move forward was to hire Buddy Anderson as their head football coach. Vestavia Hills' Hoke Smith (74) celebrates a score against Hoover with Randall Stokes in a 2019 file photo. Stadium: Reynolds Stadium, Buddy Anderson Field. His successful experiences have prepared him to lead our football program and build on the legacy established by Coach Anderson and his teams. I know God called you to coach football, and this week he called me to be a coachs wife, she told her husband. He retired following the 2020 season as the winningest football coach in the state. Vestavia Hills High School football coach resigns after 1 year, Two people in custody after police chase, manhunt near Warrior & Hayden, Team Manager w/1P36 Deletion Syndrome Makes Big Shot on Senior Night. Enough had happened already, and I didnt want to add to everything by leaving my players. VESTAVIA, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School has announced that a former rebel will return as the schools new head football coach. Lundberg had been an assistant at Hueytown. The Indians have won three state titles since 2017 so expectations will be high. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. They wrestled together, they are in the same workout group. Calhoun has had enough time with the team to see some players he expects to be leaders this season, which begins Aug. 20 at home against Mountain Brook. Coach Anderson was inducted into the 2003 Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. P.O. Stover replaces Steve Meek, who retired after 11 seasons leading the Eagles. Sean Calhoun was named the Rebels' new coach Wednesday at the Vestavia Hills Board of Education meeting. 2017 Season Highlights. Were settling in, getting our feet stabilized and the kids are starting to meet new friends.. Propst gained national notoriety through the MTV series Two-A-Days, which chronicled the 2005 and 2006 seasons of his Hoover team. In 2006, he took over a Beauregard program that had won just two games in two years. Pointer completed his investigation in late September, and after considerable debate over several sessions (and public pressure from numerous public figures, including Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos), the Hoover Board of Education voted 4-1 to release the report through several sources, including the board's website. One is senior offensive lineman Hoke Smith, he said. At a time when youre figuring out who and what you are as a boy, and in a sport that takes so much time, effort, sweat and constructive criticism, it was so beneficial to have a coach who understood his players. Phone: 205-402-5350. Reach her at madoline.markham@homewoodlife.com. Vestavia Hills Football Roster 2022-23 Players (99) Staff (2) Do you have a team photo? He previously served eight years as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at Hoover High School and spent time at Oak Mountain, Spanish Fort, and UAB. Propst attended college at Jacksonville State University where he was a non-scholarship member of the JSU football team in 1976-1977. His brother, Philip was a star on that team. Hes our best lineman and one of our best overall football players. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In February, 1978, assistant Buddy Anderson became Head Coach Buddy Anderson. He takes over an Enterprise that has been a fairly consistent winner but hasnt had much playoff success. On October 23, 2007, the AHSAA ruled that Purifoy was indeed ineligible, and that the Bucs would have to forfeit all games in which Purifoy played. All that while being a loving coachs wifewhich is a job in itselfand she does it all with a big smile on her face. We now have834teams & 188,070games on AHSFHS.org. A lot of things are still the same and havent changed. Calhoun was recommended to the Board of Education by a search committee including Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Todd Freeman, VHHS Principal Tonya Rozell, Athletic Director and VHHS alumnus Jeff Segars, and Assistant Superintendent Patrick Martin.Freeman described Calhoun as a dedicated family man and professional with impeccable character. He graduated college in 1972 with high expectations for a coaching career but when no offers came his way he returned to Samford to obtain his Masters degree. He is a real man., Coach Andersons impact reaches far and wide throughout the community and across all sorts of professions. He has built this place, and people still need to see his face. @1rebelathletics . (Submitted). Also, parents dont need to make it all better all the time. They havent won a playoff game since playing for the 7A state title in 2015. When I introduce him people ask, Did you say Mickey Rebel?. Since the early 70s, on Wednesday nights his house has been full of athletes who want to learn more about God. Kids need to stand on their own two feet and learn how to be productive for themselves. John Ross Ashley is a senior free safety, Calhoun said. Records reflect scores in our database. While his focus was always on the students, Coach Anderson saw many wins in his tenure too. Kids want to belong to something bigger than their self. That excites me because now we get to see how good our preparation is. Returning coaches are Jake James, Greg Smith, Brent Welborn all Vestavia alums and Sammy Queen, who had head coaching experience at Pelham. Mask will have to navigate a schedule at includes reigning 6A champ Clay-Chalkville (Sept. 2) as well as recent champs Oxford (Sept. 30) and Pinson Valley (Oct. 21). Photo provided to Vestavia City Schools by Robert Evans. Coach Anderson was such a great high school coach not only because of his coaching ability but because he cared more about the men he was raising by coaching them, he says. [1] He is also the former head coach at Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia, Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama, and Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Georgia. He also served on the staff of the Alabama All-Star game. During the 2019 football season, Propst co-hosted Tennessee Two-A-Days, a radio show on Fox Sports Knoxville. The Jaguars went 7-4 each of the last two years and made the playoffs. In the spring of 1973, Coach Anderson and his wife, Linda, made their first trip to a National Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) conference. My dad was always my coaching mentor in life, and around 2007 I gained Buddy Anderson as another mentor. Traditional powers like St. Pauls, Hoover and Spanish Fort all changed leaders as did reigning state champs Pike Road and Vigor.
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