Rush Propst Wins 8th State Title, Stepping in to Lead Coosa Christian to Historic Victory

BIRMIGHAM, AL – Rush Propst, a name often associated with both success and controversy in high school football, has added another state championship to his resume. Propst led the Coosa Christian Conquerors to their first-ever Class 2A state title with a 29-22 win over Lanett at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium. This marks the eighth state championship of his career, but the journey to this milestone was far from smooth.

A Storied Career with a Complicated Legacy

Propst’s coaching career has been a mix of triumph and turmoil. He first gained national attention at Hoover High School, where he led the Bucs to five state championships between 1999 and 2007. However, after building Hoover into a national prep power, his tenure ended in controversy. He later found success at Colquitt County High School in Georgia, where he won two more state titles, but his time there also ended under a cloud of allegations.

Now at Coosa Christian, Propst stepped into the role of interim head coach under unusual circumstances. The school’s previous head coach, Mark O’Bryant, was suspended following AHSAA sanctions. Propst took the reins to stabilize the program and guide the team through what could have been a challenging season.

A Hard-Fought Championship

Despite the off-field drama, Propst managed to rally the Conquerors to an impressive season. After starting the year with two losses, the team went on a 13-game winning streak, culminating in their dramatic state championship victory. The game itself was a nail-biter, with Coosa Christian overcoming a 22-14 deficit in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Kylen Johnson played a pivotal role, scoring three touchdowns before leaving the game with an injury. Senior Mac Long sealed the win with a 20-yard touchdown run in the final seconds.

Propst acknowledged the challenges of the season, describing this title as one of the toughest of his career. “We were thin as bacon,” he said, referencing the team’s limited roster. “But the kids bought into what we were selling, and they showed resilience.”

The Future of Propst

At 67 years old, Propst has made it clear that he’s not ready to retire. “I’m going to coach football,” he said after the game. “Whether it’s at Coosa Christian or somewhere else, I’m not done.”

FEATURED IMAGE: Propst after leading the Coosa Christian Conquerors to their first AHSAA state football title. (Jackson Hillis | PrepsNet)