[28][29] Despite the forfeits, the Bucs finished the regular season with a 4-5 record and qualified for the AHSAA 6A playoffs. Propst's Hoover team was one of the top-ranked teams in the United States over much of the first decade of the new millennium, winning Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A state championships in five of the first six seasons including four consecutive titles from 2002 to 2005 (missing out on 6 straight after losses in the championship game to Daphne in 2001 and Prattville in 2006). During his tenure at Hoover, Propst was a frequent target of critics. RELATED: DuBose confident in Orange Beachs future. When you get knocked down, you get back up. VESTAVIA, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School has announced that a former rebel will return as the schools new head football coach. We aim to promote learning without limits. When I asked Jeff to share a lesson he learned from him as a player, he said: Tough times dont last. I told them I cant be the guy who wants to win more than they do. I dont think Alabama football gets talked about. David Lundberg will coach the offensive line and serve as running game coordinator. Anderson had just seven losing seasons three in the past 10 seasons, although two of last years six setbacks were forfeits due to COVID-19 protocols. Sadly, it would be their last. 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. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com). 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. Pike Road head coach Patrick Browning paces the sidelines during the first half of the Greenville at Pike Road high-school football game, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, in Pike Road, Ala. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt. One is senior offensive lineman Hoke Smith, he said. His brother [second-team All-American safety Nolan] is a starter at Clemson and hes, obviously, the second son of Kevin Turner. Absolutely not. 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 the spring of 1973, Coach Anderson and his wife, Linda, made their first trip to a National Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) conference. It took about five months to find a house for the five Calhouns after he took on the task of replacing Alabamas all-time winningest high-school football coach Buddy Anderson in January. Vestavia Hills' Hoke Smith (74) celebrates a score against Hoover with Randall Stokes in a 2019 file photo. Calhoun, 39, has served as Carrolltons head football coach since 2016. People do know were hard-nosed. He was signed as a tight end but ended up playing tackle for the Bulldogs. RELATED: Who is the states best active coach? With me being a new set of eyes and with a handful of our coaches being new, we all had to see them in a competitive setting. Grider has had success as a program builder. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He played with a broken forearm last year. 1Rebel Athletics. 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. Do we have as many as the top teams in our region? (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). 2826 Columbiana Road. 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. They also face a brutal Region 2 schedule that includes Auburn, Central-Phenix City, Opelika and Prattville among others. Before Mondays opening fall practice, the Rebels had already experienced something new. Propst played high school football for Coach Ragan Clark, whose son Bill was later the head coach at Prattville High School, a Hoover rival, for many years. VESTAVIA HILLS SOCCER CLUB OFFICE 1973 Merryvale Road Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 (205) 978-0182 Buddy Anderson enters his 40th season as Head Coach at Vestavia Hills. Still, the Tigers usually have talent and now have a coach with a state title on his resume. Since the early 70s, on Wednesday nights his house has been full of athletes who want to learn more about God. Hes a long, tall athlete. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. Meek was the teams coach for 11 of the 12 years the school has had a program. Baseball Adam Moseley amoseley@hoover.k12.al.us (256) 348-5442. Enough had happened already, and I didnt want to add to everything by leaving my players. 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). The kids gravitate toward a kid like that. In just his second year of coaching at Colquitt County, Propst took a team that had finished 2-8 in 2007 to an 11-3 season and the state semifinals in 2009. 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. Thats what really matters. I told him as long as he is comfortable with it I definitely need to use him as a resource. [10] Propst's base salary at Hoover was $100,678. Returning coaches are Jake James, Greg Smith, Brent Welborn all Vestavia alums and Sammy Queen, who had head coaching experience at Pelham. 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. [5] During Propst's tenure, Hoover was repeatedly ranked in the nation's top-25 polls, finishing as the #16 team in the nation in 2003,[6] #4 in the nation in 2004,[7] #8 in the nation in 2005,[8] and ranked #1 entering the 2006 season by Sports Illustrated, USA Today[9] and the National Prep Football Poll. Athletic Trainer David Beland dbeland@hoover.k12.al.us (256) 604-9948. These two really have been super bright spots for us in the spring and summer. Sadly, it would be their last. Propst, who is of German descent, is a native of Ohatchee, Alabama where he graduated from Ohatchee High School in 1976. Propst was relieved of coaching duties following the 2018 season. Calhoun, who picked up his offensive know-how as a backup Air Raid QB at Valdosta State under now-Samford coach Chris Hatcher, said the Rebels will continue to be known as a tough football team. Stadium: Reynolds Stadium, Buddy Anderson Field. This year felt right. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting The Jaguars have suffered through four straight losing seasons and went just 2-8 a year ago. It took about five months to find a house for the five Calhouns after he took on the task of replacing Alabama's. They are looking for a group. Beyond his players, Coach Anderson has had a strong and positive influence on other coaches through the years. 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. . Today eight coaches at VHHS are Andersons former players too. Coach, Head Coach - 7th Men's Basketball, Asst. Jones insisted that the apology was unwarranted, saying that Ford's story was solid and that the evidence was irrefutable. @1rebelathletics . Coach, Varsity Head Coach - Men's Soccer, Asst. Spanish Fort needed a new coach after Blackmon left after seven years. He also served as an assistant coach for eight years at Cleburne County High School in Heflin, Alabama, Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, and Ashville High School in Ashville, Alabama. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School head football coach Sean Calhoun has resigned after one season with the Rebels. But in June 2007, the criticism became more vocal and more formal when HHS athletic director Jerry Browning, Propst's immediate superior, resigned over numerous differences between himself and principal Richard Bishop, who was a teammate of Propst on the football team at Jacksonville State University. He retired following the 2020 season as the winningest football coach in the state. Photo provided to Vestavia City Schools by Robert Evans. 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. His record as a head football coach for the past 43 years at Vestavia Hills High School is 346-160 with two state football championships. One was the competition. Purify was reinstated by the AHSAA during the playoffs that same year. In 2015, Colquitt County completed another 15-0 season with a 30-13 victory over the Roswell Hornets to claim their second consecutive Georgia AAAAAA State Championship. I was fortunate to be a part of one of his state championship teams, Mitch says. From what I was told, this was the first time [Vestavia] had been to a 7-on-7 in a tournament format. "I am remorseful for what I have done. 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. 2022-2023 VHSC Boys Staffing. They both wrestle, so we have a nickname for them: the Road Warriors from the old WCW. He takes over an Enterprise that has been a fairly consistent winner but hasnt had much playoff success. Stover replaces Steve Meek, who retired after 11 seasons leading the Eagles. Were settling in, getting our feet stabilized and the kids are starting to meet new friends.. As we were writing this article, he was working on a socially distanced version, and theres no doubt he will find a way to keep the tradition alive. The Makos do have some talent returning, including quarterback Cash Turner and all-state athlete Chris Pearson, but they also make the jump from 2A all the way to 4A. 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. Explore the benefits. Smith returns to The Hill after having spent four years as an assistant there under current UAB coach Bryant Vincent from 2007-2010. Coach, Varsity Head Coach - Men's Bowling, Asst. Hes athletic, big and strong. Calhoun was hired as the new head coach at Colquitt County High School in Georgia. He spent a year as a volunteer assistant coach at UAB. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Propst divorced Tammy in 2008 and married his current wife, Stefnie, with whom he has four children.[3][4]. Bert Newton, son of former Homewood coach and AHSAA Hall of Famer Bob Newton, is the new defensive coordinator. 2017 Season Highlights. When we got here, we were playing him at receiver, splitting time at quarterback. A whole lot. I dont know what that plan is either, but I know it is a great one. At Alma Bryant he amassed a 122 record. The topic was the focus of considerable discussion on the Paul Finebaum syndicated sports talk radio show, where Hunter Ford, a reporter for The Hoover Gazette newspaper, reported the rumors. And probably not as many as Hewitt-Trussville and Hoover. And countless former players went on to be successful in college athletics. He has helped over 250 players receive college scholarships, including players such as Chad Jackson (Florida), John Parker Wilson (Alabama), Ryan Pugh (Auburn) and Cornelius Williams (Troy). We call Andrew Animal and Lane is Hawk. I dont know if they really know who those Road Warriors are. 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. Calhouns hiring follows the 2020 retirement of Buddy Anderson who had served as Vestavia Hills head football coach since 1978. If you have a disability or face any barriers accessing website content, please contact (205) 402-5100 or email webmaster@vestavia.k12.al.us. He then moved on to Eufaula High School in Eufaula, Alabama from 1994-1996 before being hired by Alba High School in Bayou La Batre, Alabama in 1997. [12] After community uproar over the interview, Propst decided to stay at Colquitt County.[13]. RELATED: Waldrop embracing Bucs tradition, Former Eufaula coach Ed Rigby has been named head football coach at Pike Road. Phone: 205-402-5350. The first thing I told this team is that I am a Christian. Every coach since Vincents 2010 title has won at least one. Now he has plans to retire from coaching after this falls football season. Everyone knows hes an unbelievable coach, 1982 VHHS graduate Mitch Allen, will tell you. The Bucs have had just three coaches since Rush Propst took over in 1999. Coach Anderson was inducted into the 2003 Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Vestavia Hills High School. Mask added to his Hall of Fame resume with a dominant decade at St. Pauls in Mobile. Coach - Outdoor Track, Asst. He takes over a Northridge program that Mike Vickery rebuilt before leaving for Pelham. Madoline, editor of Homewood Life, is always on the hunt for a good meal and an even better story. He went 7-4 his first season and won 64 games in eight years overall. Guess was Pinsons offensive coordinator last season and was wide receivers coach for five years before that. Free self-guided test prep materials through the VHHS Library. @1rebelathletics. Select Year: 1970 <-- 2016 <- 2017 -> 2018 --> 2022. I dont think its any kind of secret that people talk about Vestavia not being very athletic, he said. Also, parents dont need to make it all better all the time. VHHS is part of the Vestavia Hills City School District with approximately 1,800 students and 21 varsity sports. He runs the show and keeps this whole place in line. Thank the good Lord we found a house, Calhoun said. But to me and the thousands of young men that got to play for him during his career, his biggest value was in the impact he had in our lives as husbands, fathers, Christian leaders, friends and really, just as people living in our communities. He also served on the staff of the Alabama All-Star game. Coach, Head Coach - 7th Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Head Coach - 8th Women's Volleyball, 7th Women's Basketball. Calhoun previously served as offensive coordinator for two seasons at Colquitt County High School in south Georgia. 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. Here is a look at 15 offseason impact hires as fall practice begins this week and next across the state of Alabama. 1. 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. Hes just so versatile. I have failed you as a community. With technology our kids are exposed to so much. But on July 28, 2007, The Birmingham News went public with the allegations when it published a letter from attorneys for Bishop to the Hoover Board of Education. Then, I wanted a great mix of guys who were Vestavia guys and who really love this place. Its not just a job. When you get your nose bloodied, you get back up. When I introduce him people ask, Did you say Mickey Rebel?. Sean Calhoun and his family finally are making Vestavia Hills their home. If we had to play tomorrow, Mitchell Towns would be under center, the 39-year-old coach said. His team finished the season with an on-field record of 10-2 (6-6 including the four forfeit losses). He takes over a Pell City team that hasnt won a playoff game since 2012 and hasnt advanced past the second round since 2003. Although he was still young, he was already a strong leader to step in as students and athletes struggled through the crisis though. Pet Adoption In The Vestavia Hills Area: New Dogs, Cats Added This Week, Vestavia Hills Job Listings: See Who's Hiring In The Area. 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. 2235 Limerock Rd. He is a Florence native and longtime Decatur offensive coordinator. Michael Seale , Patch Staff Posted Thu, Jan 14, 2021 at 9:13 am CT In 1990, he married Tammy Cox, his high school sweetheart, with whom he had three children. He can move, too. Columbiana, AL 35051, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, 8 May Events Not to Miss in Vestavia Hills & Beyond, How Pizitz Built a Well and Transformed Minds, Meet Vestavia Vulcans Mom Cheryl Clabaugh, Five March Events Not to Miss in Vestavia Hills, Five February Events Not to Miss in Vestavia Hills, Five January Events Not to Miss in Vestavia Hills. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Vestavia Hills High School. Anytime Hoover changes coaches, it has to be big news. Claim this team Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. In four varsity seasons, the Patriots went 42-7 overall, including a 36-2 mark in the last three seasons. 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. Competition is not something I shy away from and that this team wont shy away from. I have been fortunate to know Coach Anderson for years, and when we talked about this story, I couldnt pass up the chance to ask a few questions of my own. Not that many high school teams in the nation have as many as Thompson. VHSC Girls Staff U12-U19. There are so many predators out there and its scary to me. At the last minute, things worked out, and that trip that would lay the foundation for years of service through FCA. I called him a lot and visited him several times picking his brain for football advice. His playoff record is 47-29 while his region record stands at 152-71 which is the most region wins in state history. Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. Reach her at madoline.markham@homewoodlife.com. Sean Calhoun was named the Rebels' new coach Wednesday at the Vestavia Hills Board of Education meeting. Vestavia Hills superintendent Todd Freeman, Ed.D., described Evans as a man of character, a committed educator, and a brilliant football coach. Calhoun was hired as the new head coach at Colquitt County High School in Georgia. He won 99 games with the Green Wave and took the team to a state title game. Robert Evans, Vestavia Hills After Buddy Anderson won 346 games in 43 years, Vestavia Hills has now had two coaching changes. He should be called the head coach, Calhoun said. 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. Lundberg had been an assistant at Hueytown. Its exciting and a little nerve-wracking taking over a program that has been in such great hands for 43 years. Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History. I asked him to share a great lesson hed learned from Coach that he carries with him still today. He is a real man., Coach Andersons impact reaches far and wide throughout the community and across all sorts of professions. Explore the benefits. All rights reserved (About Us). Stover played two years for Nick Saban at Alabama and has said he will bring lessons he learned from all of his coaches to his first high school head job. Congratulations to the 2022-23 Vestavia Hills City Schools Teachers of the Year! [11] When Les Koenning left the University of South Alabama in January 2009, head coach Joey Jones interviewed Propst to fill the vacant position as the offensive coordinator. Whats one good thing about high school athletics in 2020? I probably would have closed it out last year, but it didnt feel right with the way school ended, he says. [14][15] In 2010, he led Colquitt County to the GHSA Class 5A State Championship Game. Anderson built his National High School Sports Hall of Fame legacy over 43 years as head coach at Vestavia, winning 346 of his 560 games. Calhoun went 4 and 6 this past season at Vestavia. He graduated from Jacksonville State in 1981 with a degree in Physical Education. He started improving and started to progress. He will have to guide the team through a new class as the Lions make the jump from 4A to 5A. Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes directs his team during 7-on-7 football action at Samford University in Homewood, Ala., Tuesday, June 28, 2022. 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. My dad was always my coaching mentor in life, and around 2007 I gained Buddy Anderson as another mentor. Calhoun, 39, most recently served as the head football coach at Carrollton (Georgia) High School, where he compiled a 51-12 record over five seasons including three region championships and five quarterfinal playoff appearances. 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. What would you say to someone who is going into coaching now? He never once put me off or was too busy to help a young coach. VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. The Vestavia Hills Board of Education on Wednesday approved the hiring of Sean Calhoun as the new head football coach at Vestavia Hills High School. The Valdosta football team was also placed on probation for the 2021 football season, therefore preventing them from participating in any playoff games. Dovey Ralph "Buddy" Anderson, is a part of the second father-son combination in the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame as his father Dovey Fair Anderson was inducted in the Hall of Fames first class in 1991. Rebels Helping Rebels is a grace fund used to financially support students in need. Fundamentally my ideals and values are the exact same. By WBRC Staff. They are both about 6-foot-2, 6-3 and are about 220 pounds. The Toros have won four state championships since 2010. He led Fayetteville (Tenn.) High to the 2020 Class 1A state title and compiled a 34-4 record in three seasons there. Hes a tough, hard-nosed kid who I definitely think is going to have a heckuva season for us. He sure had a big impact on me and my life, and I am grateful for him., 2010 graduate Austin Whitt speaks to a similar influence on his life. vestavia hills football coaching staff; what is the. Vakakes won 49 games in nine years at Jackson-Olin. Propst continued to deny the allegations. I love Buddy Anderson. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Vestavia Hills Football! Enter Waldrop a consistent winner at Chelsea, James Clemens and Florence still looking for his first championship as a head coach. Other notable hires: Ham Barnett, St. Pauls; Markus Cook, Vigor; Derone Fagan, Sidney Lanier; Hugh Fountain, W.S. 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.

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