Ding!: Rush Propst Resigns

If you haven’t heard by now, Hoover High School head football coach Rush Propst has officially resigned after months of speculation. Rush’s exit can be attributed to the recent internal investigation performed by Judge Sam Pointer. This report released many damaging facts about Hoover and Rush, including news of a secret family living in Pell City. Propst will finish out the rest of the 2007 season as coach, but will take on another temporary role in the spring until the school year is over.

So, what does this news mean for Alabama football? Yes, I’m talking Bama pigskin and Rush Propst…. shocked yet? Don’t be, although this is purely speculation.

Let’s try to connect a few dots. John Parker Wilson is a 2004 graduate of Hoover. Earlier this season, Wilson was under fire for his up and down performances. Suddenly, Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News decided to give Rush Propst -Wilson’s former coach- a coincidental phone call. Rush pretty much started to kiss up to Saban and his staff, while defending Wilson at the same time.

At first glance, it seems like nothing more than a mediocre article about a coach defending his player. But, many different Alabama fans might just remember how many times Rush Propst’s name has been mentioned for an assistant coaching job in Tuscaloosa.

Rush’s name has been mentioned at Alabama for different reasons. Mike Price went on the Paul Finebaum show and mentioned Propst as a good candidate for an assistant coaching job (pre-destiny of course). After Nick Saban was hired at Alabama, he had a fairly long meeting with Propst, who has since publicly backed both Saban and Major Applewhite more than once.

Currently, Applewhite is the OC and QB coach. But, as the demands of being Nick Saban’s OC continue to grow on Applewhite, I’m starting to wonder if Rush would be a potentional QB coach candidate in the not too distant future. Am I sounding too crazy yet?

Here is one reason I have for this being a possibility: Applewhite is already starting to get his name mentioned for head coaching jobs (SMU being the first). If Saban were to bring in Propst as a Quarterbacks coach, he would have a local Alabama guy learning the offense and coaching JP Wilson (10 points for those of you who can make a connection here!). Then, once Applewhite eventually heads on to greener pastures, he’ll already have a guy in there who is used to his system. Propst could be promoted to co-Offensive Coordinator (or get the job by himself) and Saban would have some continuity on his staff. Nick already has one of Rush’s guys working for him (Jeremy Pruitt).

What are the chances of this actually happening? Well, a year ago I would’ve said there is a pretty decent shot. Now, after all of this secret lovers mess, I don’t know if it will actually happen or not. I’d still say there is a chance, but I have a feeling it has diminished. Besides, both Saban and Propst are control freaks. One has to wonder if Propst could handle a long term position as the 2nd fiddle.

Do I want this to happen? I really don’t care for the baggage Propst brings, so I would have to lean towards a no. But, it is fun to speculate….. right?

I’m sure I’ll get plenty of comments telling me I’m wrong. Just remember who controls the “delete comment” function……. *ding!*………… ME!