Former Alabama wide receiver Nikita Stover replaces veteran Steve Meek at Decatur Heritage. Not that many high school teams in the nation have as many as Thompson. We have chosen to publish this 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. During the 2019 football season, Propst co-hosted Tennessee Two-A-Days, a radio show on Fox Sports Knoxville. It was the 1st playoff win for VH since 2015 and the 1st in Coach Evans' tenure. Pet Adoption In The Vestavia Hills Area: New Dogs, Cats Added This Week, Vestavia Hills Job Listings: See Who's Hiring In The Area. Absolutely not. Grider has had success as a program builder. Photo provided to Vestavia City Schools by Robert Evans. What I expect from this team is to give 100 percent. He went 7-4 his first season and won 64 games in eight years overall. Copyright 2022 WBRC. One of the first things they did in their efforts to move forward was to hire Buddy Anderson as their head football coach. 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. VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School head football coach Sean Calhoun has resigned after one season with the Rebels. I love Buddy Anderson. Vestavia Hills High School Retweeted. Hes served since 2018 as defensive coordinator at Mountain Brook High School. Box 947 Calhoun was hired as the new head coach at Colquitt County High School in Georgia. My dad was always my coaching mentor in life, and around 2007 I gained Buddy Anderson as another mentor. That young newlywed who brought his bride to Vestavia Hills all those years ago has since raised three daughters, all graduates of VHHS, and is now grandfather to seven. Claim your team to manage the roster, schedule, scores, stats and more. Claim this team Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. Vestavia Hills Football (@1rebelfootball) / Twitter During those discussions, Ford was fired, live and on the air, by Gazette general manager John Junkin. [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. 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). VESTAVIA HILLS, AL Hiring a replacement for a coaching legend is not easy, but Vestavia Hills has landed a new head football coach from Georgia with an impressive resume. Former Hewitt-Trussville and Auburn wide receiver got the promotion at Pinson Valley following Sam Shades departure to Miles College. His Rebel teams won 16 area and region championships, and made 31 state playoff appearances. "The foundation that has already been laid in Vestavia Hills is great, and I look forward to building upon that foundation and impacting lives through the football program," Calhoun said. 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). [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. Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. The Valdosta football team was also placed on probation for the 2021 football season, therefore preventing them from participating in any playoff games. [1] He is also the former head coach at Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia, Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama, and Valdosta . These two really have been super bright spots for us in the spring and summer. He shared that when he finally decided to retire, he prayed about it a lot. Athletic Trainer David Beland dbeland@hoover.k12.al.us (256) 604-9948. He also served on the staff of the Alabama All-Star game. 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. 2022-2023 VHSC Boys Staffing. Records reflect scores in our database. 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. Some He will lead our football program into the future with the integrity that has been the foundation of our program. Beyond his players, Coach Anderson has had a strong and positive influence on other coaches through the years. 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. When we got here, we were playing him at receiver, splitting time at quarterback. Under his tenure as athletic director of the Vestavia Hills High School athletic program the sports teams have won over 45 state championships, and numerous runner-up trophies in all boys and girls sports. Sadly, it would be their last. (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). 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. Enough had happened already, and I didnt want to add to everything by leaving my players. What is one great lesson youve learned as a coach? Stover replaces Steve Meek, who retired after 11 seasons leading the Eagles. Here is a look at 15 offseason impact hires as fall practice begins this week and next across the state of Alabama. [38], On April 8, 2021, the Valdosta High School football team was sanctioned due to recruiting and undue influence committed by Propst and the Valdosta booster club. Ohatchee was 27-5-1 in Propst's three years as a starter at wide receiver and defensive back, with Propst earning All-County recognition as a senior. He now takes over the tradition-rich Toros. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Kids need to stand on their own two feet and learn how to be productive for themselves. 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. Smith spent his last several seasons trying to resurrect a struggling Robertsdale program and then starting the Orange Beach team. Hes definitely a college football player. What would you say to someone who is going into coaching now? His playoff record is 47-29 while his region record stands at 152-71 which is the most region wins in state history. 1Rebel Athletics. People do know were hard-nosed. VESTAVIA, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School has announced that a former rebel will return as the school's new head football coach. Through the years Linda has been a school teacher, a stay-at-home mother, a private tutor and worked for Alabama Public Television as well as in the ministry field. In four varsity seasons, the Patriots went 42-7 overall, including a 36-2 mark in the last three seasons. The Toros have won four state championships since 2010. 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. Life is like football, he told me. Vestavia Hills Magazineis publishedquarterly by Meek was the teams coach for 11 of the 12 years the school has had a program. 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. He spent a year as a volunteer assistant coach at UAB. Rush Propst. He retired following the 2020 season as the winningest football coach in the state. [17] In 2012, Colquitt finished 10-4 after losing 41-27 to the eventual state champions, Norcross High School, in the state semifinal game. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Baseball Adam Moseley amoseley@hoover.k12.al.us (256) 348-5442. Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. He studied both physical education and math at Samford University, and while he spent many years in the classroom, his heart has always been on the football field. When my dad passed away, he was one of the first to call, and we talked for over an hour. Hes a tough, hard-nosed kid who I definitely think is going to have a heckuva season for us. He was signed as a tight end but ended up playing tackle for the Bulldogs. The team held an undefeated record over both seasons and won back-to-back state championships. 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. A former Rebel defensive back and member of the 1998 state championship team, Evans returns home after four years as Mountain Brooks defensive coordinator. Hire A Vestavia Hills Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. Morson hired Brett Mask away from Colbert County to be his offensive coordinator and has one of the states top recruits on his roster in Alabama commit Jahlil Hurley. Nikita Stover was named the new head football coach at Decatur Heritage Christian Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. Lane is probably a little bit heavier and Andrew is a little bit longer. St. Paul's head coach Steve Mask instructs tight end Chett Elder in the first half of a prep football game against Faith Academy on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell | preps@al.com). 5. They havent won a playoff game since playing for the 7A state title in 2015. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. It wasnt something they had planned to do, and they werent really sure how they would find a way to attend. . Fundamentally my ideals and values are the exact same. If we had to play tomorrow, Mitchell Towns would be under center, the 39-year-old coach said. At the last minute, things worked out, and that trip that would lay the foundation for years of service through FCA. Hes intelligent and can play a lot of different positions.REL. I dont think Alabama football gets talked about. The kids gravitate toward a kid like that. He also was the first coach in Park Crossing history, winning 38 games in just four years and taking the team to the 6A semifinals in 2016. 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). Enter Waldrop a consistent winner at Chelsea, James Clemens and Florence still looking for his first championship as a head coach. He will have to guide the team through a new class as the Lions make the jump from 4A to 5A. They were alike in so many ways: both strong Christian men, both strong citizens in their communities and both coached over 40 years, Ryan shares. New coach Sean Calhoun said Smith would be the Rebels' best offensive lineman in 2021. After Buddy Anderson won 346 games in 43 years, Vestavia Hills has now had two coaching changes in as many seasons. Rebel with a Cause - Vestavia Hills Magazine I probably would have closed it out last year, but it didnt feel right with the way school ended, he says. Rebel with a Cause. I called him a lot and visited him several times picking his brain for football advice. By WBRC Staff. As a truck traveling down Highway 31 lost its brakes and barreled through an intersection, those three lives were cut short in a tragic event that still shakes the entire community when it is mentioned. 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]. Hes just so versatile. His Rebel teams won 16 area and region championships, and made 31 state playoff appearances. He started improving and started to progress. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. (Jeff Lee/Contributed). He led Fayetteville (Tenn.) High to the 2020 Class 1A state title and compiled a 34-4 record in three seasons there. He was hired at Hoover in 1999, where he coached for nine years, winning 110 games and five state championships. 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 . VHHS is part of the Vestavia Hills City School District with approximately 1,800 students and 21 varsity sports. "[31][32], In June 2016, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission announced that Propst would be suspended for the entire 2016 season after head-butting one of his players (and bloodying himself) during a December 4, 2015 playoff game. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Since the early 70s, on Wednesday nights his house has been full of athletes who want to learn more about God. Columbiana, AL 35051, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, 7 November Events Not to Miss in Vestavia Hills, Meet New Vestavia Hills High School Football Coach Sean Calhoun, 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. We call Andrew Animal and Lane is Hawk. I dont know if they really know who those Road Warriors are. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. There was a really good excitement in the air. Physical Education, Health & Driver Education, Freshman Campus Course Registration (Rising 9th Graders), Freshman Campus Course Registration (Rising 10th Graders), Online Enrollment and Registration Information. And countless former players went on to be successful in college athletics. Propst was eventually promoted to head football coach at Ashville High, serving from 1989 to 1993. Calhoun played as a defensive back and quarterback for Valdosta State University from 2000 to 2004 and later joined the teams coaching staff. He was named Region Coach of the Year at the end of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Robert Evans graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in 1999 and was a defensive back on Buddy Andersons 1998 state championship team. At the conclusion of the 2020 season, his 31-year head coaching record stood at 307-96 (.762 win percentage).[2]. I dont think whoever they could have hired could fill those shoes. Thank the good Lord we found a house, Calhoun said. I have failed you as a board, and especially I have failed you (Superintendent) Andy (Craig)," Propst said. Vestavia High School names new head football coach, Two people in custody after police chase, manhunt near Warrior & Hayden, Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee happening this weekend, Nonprofit organization donates cars to residents of Jimmie Hale Mission. [28][29] Despite the forfeits, the Bucs finished the regular season with a 4-5 record and qualified for the AHSAA 6A playoffs. Hes a good football player and one of those who makes you better, for sure., Calhoun also singled out his top two defensive ends juniors Andrew Sykes and Lane Whisenhunt. 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. Josh Niblett followed with six state titles in 14 years. He has three state titles on his resume and expects to win at Orange Beach as well. He was named state coach of the year three times and the Vestavia Hills football field is named in his honor. I told him as long as he is comfortable with it I definitely need to use him as a resource. When you get your nose bloodied, you get back up. Coach, Varsity Head Coach - Flag Football, Bowling, Women's Golf, Varsity Head Coach - Football Cheerleading, Varsity Head Coach - Basketball Cheerleading, Head Coach - Cross Country, Track and Field, Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach, Linebackers/Director of Football Operations/Special Teams Coordinator, Varsity Head Coach - Wrestling, Asst. All rights reserved (About Us). Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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. Ford, was then hired by editor Dale Jones of The Western Star in nearby Bessemer, after his firing from The Hoover Gazette. Sadly, it would be their last. 7. fv. In the letter by Bishop's attorneys, which The News obtained through a public-records request, the attorneys state that Browning told Bishop that Propst "had a separate family and led a completely separate life," and that Bishop was told by Craig not to investigate the matter. Still, the Tigers usually have talent and now have a coach with a state title on his resume. 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. Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Vestavia Hills Magazineis publishedquarterly by For the first time in more than four decades, Vestavia Hills High School has a new head football coach: Sean Calhoun. Rush Propst - Wikipedia Vestavia Hills' Hoke Smith (74) celebrates a score against Hoover with Randall Stokes in a 2019 file photo.
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