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. 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. However, in Propst's last game as Hoover's head coach, they lost in the third round to another crosstown rival Vestavia Hills 21-17, a game considered by many Alabama sportswriters to be the biggest rivalry in the state. VESTAVIA, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School has announced that a former rebel will return as the school's new head football coach. When we got here, we were playing him at receiver, splitting time at quarterback. 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. 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. Fax: 205-402-5354. webmaster@vhcs.us After Buddy Anderson won 346 games in 43 years, Vestavia Hills has now had two coaching changes in as many seasons. What is one great lesson youve learned as a coach? [26] Among the findings were that Propst's bank records indicated support for a "second family" in Pell City, Alabama, but the incidents regarding grade-changing were largely caused by an assistant principal and an administrator. 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. In four varsity seasons, the Patriots went 42-7 overall, including a 36-2 mark in the last three seasons. "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. He won 99 games with the Green Wave and took the team to a state title game. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Vakakes won 49 games in nine years at Jackson-Olin. His father coached high school ball for 31 years, and it was not difficult to make the decision to follow in his footsteps. Box 947 They also face a brutal Region 2 schedule that includes Auburn, Central-Phenix City, Opelika and Prattville among others. Phone: 205-402-5350. He will lead our football program into the future with the integrity that has been the foundation of our program. If we had to play tomorrow, Mitchell Towns would be under center, the 39-year-old coach said. 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). I told the team if our best players are our best people in general we have a great chance of being successful. Its definitely an honor to be the next one, said Calhoun, who became just the seventh head football coach at Vestavia after compiling a 51-12 record in five years at Carrollton, Ga. I cant say enough about the man, the coach and the family man he is that Ive gotten to know. Photo provided to Vestavia City Schools by Robert Evans. 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. Robert Evans, Vestavia Hills After Buddy Anderson won 346 games in 43 years, Vestavia Hills has now had two coaching changes. He also served on the staff of the Alabama All-Star game. While his focus was always on the students, Coach Anderson saw many wins in his tenure too. He retired following the 2020 season as the winningest football coach in the state. He graduated college in 1972 with high expectations for a coaching career but when no offers came his way he returned to Samford to obtain his Masters degree. Coach - Outdoor Track, Asst. He was hired at Hoover in 1999, where he coached for nine years, winning 110 games and five state championships. 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. When I introduce him people ask, Did you say Mickey Rebel?. Propst continued to deny the allegations. Former Hewitt-Trussville and Auburn wide receiver got the promotion at Pinson Valley following Sam Shades departure to Miles College. It comes down to hard work. I may have some different tactics, but when you get down to the basics of our program, the foundation coach Anderson has already laid is absolutely fantastic. [36] His dismissal followed an investigation that determined he had violated the Code of Ethics for Educators for (1) legal compliance, (2) conduct with students, (3) honesty, and (4) public funds and property, including giving aleve pills to students on more than one occasion and owing nearly $450,000 in delinquent federal and state taxes. Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes directs his team during 7-on-7 football action at Samford University in Homewood, Ala., Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Guess was Pinsons offensive coordinator last season and was wide receivers coach for five years before that. The former Prattville and Central-Phenix City head coach returns to the state after a two-year stint in Georgia. Claim your team to manage the roster, schedule, scores, stats and more. Thats what really matters. He led Fayetteville (Tenn.) High to the 2020 Class 1A state title and compiled a 34-4 record in three seasons there. Grider has had success as a program builder. Spanish Fort needed a new coach after Blackmon left after seven years. I know God called you to coach football, and this week he called me to be a coachs wife, she told her husband. In 1990, he married Tammy Cox, his high school sweetheart, with whom he had three children. Propst also faced charges having to do with his personal life, specifically that he engaged in extramarital affairs. [39][40], Propst has been featured in an instructional video entitled Building A Championship Football Program 12 Months A Year, published in 2007. Calhoun was hired as the new head coach at Colquitt County High School in Georgia. Propst gained national notoriety through the MTV series Two-A-Days, which chronicled the 2005 and 2006 seasons of his Hoover team. Sean Calhoun and his family finally are making Vestavia Hills their home. 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. Calhoun previously served as offensive coordinator for two seasons at Colquitt County High School in south Georgia. Anytime Hoover changes coaches, it has to be big news. Coach, Head Coach - 8th Women's Basketball, Head Coach - Football, Wrestling, Outdoor Track, Asst. 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 . He started improving and started to progress. Vestavia Hills Magazineis publishedquarterly by Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Vestavia Hills Football Retweeted. 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). The Mustangs went 9-3 in 2021. In January of 1972, three Vestavia Hills High School coaches decided to head off campus for a quick lunch. He also served for four seasons as quarterbacks coach at Collins Hill High School in the Atlanta area, where he coached current Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Not that many high school teams in the nation have as many as Thompson. For the first time in more than four decades, Vestavia Hills High School has a new head football coach: Sean Calhoun. RELATED: Who is the states best active coach? [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. 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. [12] After community uproar over the interview, Propst decided to stay at Colquitt County.[13]. His brother, Philip was a star on that team. AGE BIRTH YEARS TEAMS FORMAT COACH; U19: 2004: Steamers 04 Black: 11v11: Robert Starr: U18: 2005: Steamers 05 Black: 11v11: Robert Starr: U17: 2006: . Mask added to his Hall of Fame resume with a dominant decade at St. Pauls in Mobile. He can move, too. The Toros have won four state championships since 2010. The Jaguars went 7-4 each of the last two years and made the playoffs. He was hired in the fall of 1972 as an assistant coach at Vestavia Hills where he remained for 43 seasons. John Rodgers will coach linebackers after working with Newton in Hartselle and Vestavia alumnus and former Spain Park assistant Patrick Bonovitch will coach running backs. Coach, Sports Information - Pizitz Middle School, Asst. Hes a tough, hard-nosed kid who I definitely think is going to have a heckuva season for us. 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. [20][21] In 2014, Rush Propst led his Colquitt County Packer football team to their second undefeated season (15-0) and a second state title (first one came in 1994), by defeating Archer High School 28-24 on December 13, 2014 to claim the 2014 1-AAAAAA State Championship and his first state title within Georgia. Sadly, it would be their last. 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. Five players were declared ineligible for the athletic year, along with $5,000 in fines. Published: Jan. 5, 2022 at 7:44 AM PST. We wanted to see our guys compete and see them make some plays. His Rebel teams won 16 area and region championships, and made 31 state playoff appearances. Mask will have to navigate a schedule at includes reigning 6A champ Clay-Chalkville (Sept. 2) as well as recent champs Oxford (Sept. 30) and Pinson Valley (Oct. 21). Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Smith spent his last several seasons trying to resurrect a struggling Robertsdale program and then starting the Orange Beach team. 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. 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. His brother [second-team All-American safety Nolan] is a starter at Clemson and hes, obviously, the second son of Kevin Turner. 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. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com). "Coach Calhoun has dedicated his career to investing in the lives of young men through the sport of football," Freeman said. And I know that Buddy Anderson will carry on making a difference in the lives of young people. Neal; Josh Harris, Blount; Renardo Jackson, LeFlore; Jerrel Jernigan, Eufaula; Rodney Jordan, Satsuma; Jed Kennedy, Dothan; John McKenzie, Murphy; Gus Smith, Gordo; Mike Vickery, Pelham; Brandon Wilcox, Escambia Academy. Basketball, Boys' 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. Gordo coach Ryan Lolley directs his team during the Cam Newton 7-on-7 tournament at BlackWatch Sports in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, June 29, 2019. All rights reserved (About Us). As usual, the high school football offseason has been filled with coaching changes throughout the state maybe more than most years. Sean Calhoun was named the Rebels' new coach Wednesday at the Vestavia Hills Board of Education meeting. Madoline, editor of Homewood Life, is always on the hunt for a good meal and an even better story. Coach, Varsity Head Coach - Men's Soccer, Asst. Ben Blackmon won another. (Fayetteville High School photo). It was an honor meeting him. His successful experiences have prepared him to lead our football program and build on the legacy established by Coach Anderson and his teams. Congratulations to the 2022-23 Vestavia Hills City Schools Teachers of the 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. Its exciting and a little nerve-wracking taking over a program that has been in such great hands for 43 years. Nikita Stover was named the new head football coach at Decatur Heritage Christian Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. Invite the coach Beyond his players, Coach Anderson has had a strong and positive influence on other coaches through the years. He never once put me off or was too busy to help a young coach. The lessons you learn in athletics last longer than the actual event itself. Now as a coach, his biggest lesson from Anderson is: The student is more important than the athlete. 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. At a time when youre figuring out who and what you are as a boy, and in a sport that takes so much time, effort, sweat and constructive criticism, it was so beneficial to have a coach who understood his players. 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 . He played with a broken forearm last year. Robert Evans graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in 1999 and was a defensive back on Buddy Andersons 1998 state championship team. He spent a year as a volunteer assistant coach at UAB. This year felt right. Coach, Head Coach - 7th Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Head Coach - 8th Women's Volleyball, 7th Women's Basketball. He graduated from Jacksonville State in 1981 with a degree in Physical Education. Reach her at madoline.markham@homewoodlife.com. There are so many predators out there and its scary to me. [1] He is also the former head coach at Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia, Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama, and Valdosta . RELATED: Smith looks to continue Toros winning ways, Spanish Fort head coach Ben Blackmon and the Toros prepare for the prep football game against Daphne on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in Daphne, Ala. (Mike Kittrell | preps@al.com). While the school was distraught, they had to carry on. Competition is not something I shy away from and that this team wont shy away from. Ford, was then hired by editor Dale Jones of The Western Star in nearby Bessemer, after his firing from The Hoover Gazette. P.O. Our guys take pride in our community and have that pride with a little edge, a chip on their shoulders, Calhoun said. During the 2019 football season, Propst co-hosted Tennessee Two-A-Days, a radio show on Fox Sports Knoxville. The former Williamson and Auburn star is finally the man in charge of his alma mater. He went 7-4 his first season and won 64 games in eight years overall. 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. He has three state titles on his resume and expects to win at Orange Beach as well. 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. Calhoun, 39, has served as Carrolltons head football coach since 2016. It was something the kids needed to be exposed to for various reasons, he said. Thats what we get from our kids, for sure.. Thats where he bonds with the players and really connects with them. These two really have been super bright spots for us in the spring and summer. He was named state coach of the year three times and the Vestavia Hills football field is named in his honor. Before Mondays opening fall practice, the Rebels had already experienced something new. 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. Smith returns to The Hill after having spent four years as an assistant there under current UAB coach Bryant Vincent from 2007-2010. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory | preps@al.com. 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. The official Roster for the Vestavia Hills High School The official staff directory for the Vestavia Hills High School Staff Directory - Vestavia Hills High School Skip To Main Content Pause All Rotators Skip To Main Content Vestavia Hills High School Vestavia Hills High School Enough had happened already, and I didnt want to add to everything by leaving my players. Select Year: 1970 <-- 2016 <- 2017 -> 2018 --> 2022. He is a real man., Coach Andersons impact reaches far and wide throughout the community and across all sorts of professions. Jones insisted that the apology was unwarranted, saying that Ford's story was solid and that the evidence was irrefutable. 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. That first trip to FCA camp started a yearly tradition that lasted over 40 years until the camps ended. When you get your nose bloodied, you get back up. 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. Claim this team Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He is a phenomenal human being, and a phenomenal coach. Coaching is a commitment to working with kids. Vestavia Hills High School, home of the Rebels, is a public school located in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. 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. The Wildcats havent advanced past the second round since 1993. Hes intelligent and can play a lot of different positions.REL. One is senior offensive lineman Hoke Smith, he said. Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. My dad was always my coaching mentor in life, and around 2007 I gained Buddy Anderson as another mentor. 7. 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. In 2006, he took over a Beauregard program that had won just two games in two years. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Football Staff Vestavia Hills Football Staff Players (99) Staff (2) Robert Evans Head Coach Are you the coach? 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. Ralph Clyde "Shorty" Propst, who was born in 1924 and played for Alabama Crimson Tide, is his uncle. The investigation resulted in the forfeiture of four games, including a 1-0 loss to crosstown rival Spain Park High School, the first loss to the Jaguars in the history of the teams' rivalry. I probably would have closed it out last year, but it didnt feel right with the way school ended, he says. Lane is probably a little bit heavier and Andrew is a little bit longer. He should be called the head coach, Calhoun said. RECRUIT VESTAVIA and 3 others. Its not just a job. Other notable hires: Ham Barnett, St. Pauls; Markus Cook, Vigor; Derone Fagan, Sidney Lanier; Hugh Fountain, W.S. Explore the benefits. The first thing I told this team is that I am a Christian. He earned a football scholarship to Samford University where he would get his degree. His Rebel teams won 16 area and region championships, and made 31 state playoff appearances. In February, 1978, assistant Buddy Anderson became Head Coach Buddy Anderson. Hes been the teams defensive coordinator for six years under Dedrick Sumpter and then Melvin Pete Jr. Coleman has brought back several former Williamson and Mobile prep stars to join his staff, including Jamarcus Russell and Sherman Williams. 2235 Limerock Rd. Vestavia Hills High School football coach resigns after 1 year, Two people in custody after police chase, manhunt near Warrior & Hayden, Team Manager w/1P36 Deletion Syndrome Makes Big Shot on Senior Night. 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. The kids gravitate toward a kid like that. Were settling in, getting our feet stabilized and the kids are starting to meet new friends.. It was the 1st playoff win for VH since 2015 and the 1st in Coach Evans' tenure. Stadium: Reynolds Stadium, Buddy Anderson Field. Coach Anderson was such a great high school coach not only because of his coaching ability but because he cared more about the men he was raising by coaching them, he says. That excites me because now we get to see how good our preparation is. [28][29] Despite the forfeits, the Bucs finished the regular season with a 4-5 record and qualified for the AHSAA 6A playoffs. 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.