Photo: Rush Propst (pictured at left) fields a question during the news conference for his hiring as Coosa Christian’s co-head football coach (on January 16. Sitting with Probst is Coosa Christian head football coach Mark O’Bryant. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
Rush Propst’s tenure as Coosa Christian co-football coach lasted approximately 14 weeks.
The longtime Alabama and Georgia high school coach was hired as Pell City head football coach on Friday, March 31.
Probst was hired at Coosa in January as co-head football coach with Mark O’Bryant.
“I will never forget [Coosa Christian],” said Probst told al.com. “They are good, Christian people. I loved every moment I was there.”
“Coosa Christian School would like to express our support for Coach Rush Propst and his family,” said Coosa Christian School Administrator Amanda Justus. “As with all of our staff, we always want what’s best for them and their families. When we hired Coach Propst, we knew there could be other opportunities for him. We are grateful for the life-long friendships that were made. We wish all the best for Coach Propst and fully support him in his new endeavors at Pell City.”
Propst directed one of the most successful high school football programs in state history during his nine seasons at Hoover. From 1999 to 2007, Propst guided the Bucs to a 110-16 record, including a 35-3 mark in the state playoffs; a 45-8 region record; five region titles; five state championships and two state runner-up trophies.
Propst, who was named Alabama Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2004, saw 250 of his players sign college scholarships.
In 30 years as head football coach at Hoover, Colquitt County (Ga.) High School (2008-2018),
Alma Bryant (1998), Alba (1997), Eufaula (1993-1996) and Ashville (1989-1992), Propst amassed a 295-96 overall record and went 76-15 in the postseason. He took Colquitt to the state playoffs seven times and won the state championship in 2014 and 2015.
After a 2-4 start, the 2022 Coosa Christian football team won its next seven games to qualify for the state semifinals, where the Conquerors lost to Pickens County, 44-40, on a controversial call on the game’s final play.
O’Bryant stressed that there were no hard feelings when he learned of Probst’s decision to leave for Pell City.
“Like I said when Coach Probst came here in January, our top priority was to restore the man’s legacy, and I believe we accomplished that,” said O’Bryant, who attended Probst’s introductory press conference on Friday. “I also feel that we gave our school some credibility. Along with Jack and Amanda Justus and Jason Ellen, we wish nothing but the best for Coach Probst at Pell City and are happy for him to receive another opportunity in life.”