GADSDEN, Ala. — Coach Rush Propst is back on the sidelines at his ninth school and seventh in Alabama.
The controversial legendary figure was named interim head coach Wednesday, August 13 at Coosa Christian School in Gadsden. The move makes the Conquerors the main Class 2A favorite.
“I’ve been blessed in my career, and I want to use that experience to invest in these players,” Propst said. “This is about helping young men grow, compete, and prepare for the next chapters of their lives, both in football and beyond. I believe in what Coosa Christian stands for and in building something that lasts.”
The 67-year-old coach, who gained national prominence during his nine-year (1999-2007) tenure at Alabama powerhouse Hoover winning five state titles and 110 games, won two more state titles at Colquitt County in Moultrie, Ga., and a national title (2015). He also coached for one season at Valdosta High School, the nation’s winningest program.
Propst (296-117 career record; 177-70 in Alabama, 119-47 in Georgia) will make his Coosa Christian debut Friday, August 22 at Pierce County. PCHS downed the Conquerors 41-7 to start the 2024 season.
He was hired to be Coosa Christian’s co-head coach in 2023, but left to coach Pell City before the season began. He lasted one season going 1-10.
Propst will now lead one of the top small school programs in Alabama. Last year, Coosa Christian went 9-1 on the field with wins against Pell City, Fyffe and Tuscaloosa Academy. But five forfeits and restrictive probation kept them out of the 2024 playoffs.
Coosa Christian is highly represented on the Gadsden Times players to watch list with senior running back J’Alan Terry (6foot, 185 lbs.) and two-way star Kylen Johnson (So., 5-9, 158) leading the way on the 50 Offensive Players to Watch. They were joined by senior linemen Zayden Franklin (6-2, 240) and Radley Mays (5-11, 200). So far on defense, Franklin (defensive tackle), Mays (defensive end/tackle), senior linebacker/ defensvie end Cade Mickler (6-1, 205) and Johnson (corner back) have earned spots on various defensive watch lists.
The program was ranked third in the first ASWA rankings of the season, the second-highest team from north Alabama. The program earned five first place votes, the second highest total of any team.
Propst has led 18 teams to double-digit wins over his 32 years. He comes into a strong situation left by suspended head coach Mark O’Bryant.
“I think the guys on the field are more talented than last year’s group,” O’Bryant said July 23. “The drawback is we don’t have quite the depth of last year’s group. Just the first 11 guys on the field, I think is a more talented group.
“We lost a couple of players that I don’t think you can replace, but overall the team speed and our O-line is going to be the best since we got here.” Propst also has run into his share of controversy with state high school athletic associations. He was involved in an investigation for altering players’ grades for college eligibility in 2007, per AL.com.
He also was reprimanded for inappropriate physical contact with a Colquitt County player in 2016 being relieved of his duties in 2019 in a unanimous vote by the Colquitt County Board of Education.
Propst reached 300 career wins at Valdosta, but was forced to forfeit seven victories and was ousted following the 2020 season.
