Controversial former Hoover and Colquitt County leader approved to head legendary Georgia juggernaut.
Video: Javonte Sherman - 2019 highlights See the Valdosta 3-star wideout in action.
One of the nation's most polarizing high school football coaches landed at the country's winningest program.
Rush Propst, who first made headlines on MTV's popular "Two-A-Days" reality TV show in 2005 while coaching at Hoover (Ala.), was approved Tuesday to coach at Valdosta (Ga.).
Valdosta went 10-3 last season and has won a nation-best 928 games since its 1913 inception. According to a MaxPreps story in August identifying the
50 winningest programs in the country, the Wildcats have won 24 state and six mythical national crowns.
Propst was approved Tuesday by the Valdosta City School Board on a 5-4 vote,
according to AL.com. The meeting was held on Facebook Live due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The 62-year-old replaces Alan Rodemaker, who was let go in January following four seasons and a 36-17 record.
"It's an honor," Propst told AL.com. "I think every high school coach has always had their eyes on Valdosta High in some form or fashion. ... It's an honor to lead that program, to go in there and be a part of that tradition. ... I want to thank the town of Valdosta and the fans. It's an honor. I'm glad to be back on the sidelines."
Propst won five state titles in 10 seasons at Hoover, before claiming two Georgia 6A state crowns at Colquitt County over 12 seasons. His 30-year varsity high school record is 313-93.
But controversy has followed him, documented in a 2013 ESPN E:60 investigative piece entitled "Friday Night Lies."
He didn't coach in 2019 except as a volunteer assistant at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Rich Propst during his 12-year tenure at Colquitt County.
File photo by Cecil Copeland
