Greenville has been an annual threat in 5A but hasnt won a state title since 1994. He has built this place, and people still need to see his face. 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. I dont think Alabama football gets talked about. Region: 7A-R3. 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. He won 110 games and four state titles with the Saints and has 210 wins in 26 years as a head coach overall. 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. New coach Sean Calhoun said Smith would be the Rebels' best offensive lineman in 2021. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Calhoun previously served as offensive coordinator for two seasons at Colquitt County High School in south Georgia. I probably would have closed it out last year, but it didnt feel right with the way school ended, he says. Invite the coach Were settling in, getting our feet stabilized and the kids are starting to meet new friends.. [27], Propst came under further scrutiny when Hanceville High School complained to the Alabama High School Athletic Association that a former player of theirs, Tristan Purifoy, did not transfer properly to Hoover High and was therefore ineligible. People do know were hard-nosed. The following week, Tribble Publications in Warm Springs, Ga, the parent company who owns The Western Star, printed an apology for allowing Ford to print these allegations in their paper, though it did not specifically retract the charges. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Coach: Buddy Anderson. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 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. Staff Directory - Vestavia Hills High School Box 947 A meet-and-greet event for Robert and his wife Anne Evans will be held on Monday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at Vestavia Hills High School. Williamson head coach Antonio Coleman discusses the upcoming prep football season during Day 2 of Mobile County Media Days on Friday, July 15, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell | preps@al.com). 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). Hazel Green coach Smitty Grider shares words with the referee as Ft. Payne plays Hazel Green at Hazel Green High School Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 in Hazel Green, Ala.Eric Schultz | AL.com. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It took about five months to find a house for the five Calhouns after he took on the task of replacing Alabama's. We aim to promote learning without limits. 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. Tough and hard-nosed is true, but we have more athletes than that notion. But youve got to care about the kids. I am excited to be a part of this rich football state. Rebel with a Cause - Vestavia Hills Magazine In the spring of 1973, Coach Anderson and his wife, Linda, made their first trip to a National Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) conference. 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. Robert Evans graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in 1999 and was a defensive back on Buddy Andersons 1998 state championship team. 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. 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. Beyond his players, Coach Anderson has had a strong and positive influence on other coaches through the years. We have chosen to publish this [17] In 2012, Colquitt finished 10-4 after losing 41-27 to the eventual state champions, Norcross High School, in the state semifinal game. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. After a long tenure at Gordo, including the last nine years as head coach, Lolley decided to take another challenge at Northridge. All rights reserved (About Us). From what I was told, this was the first time [Vestavia] had been to a 7-on-7 in a tournament format. Ralph Clyde "Shorty" Propst, who was born in 1924 and played for Alabama Crimson Tide, is his uncle. Columbiana, AL 35051, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, 8 May Events Not to Miss in Vestavia Hills & Beyond, How Pizitz Built a Well and Transformed Minds, Meet Vestavia Vulcans Mom Cheryl Clabaugh, 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. Calhouns hiring follows the 2020 retirement of Buddy Anderson who had served as Vestavia Hills head football coach since 1978. [33] He appealed [34] and was instead given a reprimand. His Rebel teams won 16 area and region championships, and made 31 state playoff appearances. Congratulations to the 2022-23 Vestavia Hills City Schools Teachers of the Year! The Toros have won four state championships since 2010. Claim your team to manage the roster, schedule, scores, stats and more. Lane is probably a little bit heavier and Andrew is a little bit longer. At the conclusion of the 2020 season, his 31-year head coaching record stood at 307-96 (.762 win percentage).[2]. When you get your nose bloodied, you get back up. 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. Everyone knows hes an unbelievable coach, 1982 VHHS graduate Mitch Allen, will tell you. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory | preps@al.com, The mindset I had was that I needed some Alabama guys who were not previously here, Calhoun said. 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. He is quick to tell anyone who will listen that he was called by God to coach football on January 12, 1968. Vestavia High School names new head football coach - WBRC They are both about 6-foot-2, 6-3 and are about 220 pounds. 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. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting He shared that when he finally decided to retire, he prayed about it a lot. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory | preps@al.com. Josh Niblett followed with six state titles in 14 years. Rush Propst - Wikipedia 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. John Ross Ashley is a senior free safety, Calhoun said. His father coached high school ball for 31 years, and it was not difficult to make the decision to follow in his footsteps. Coach - Outdoor Track, Asst. Athletic Trainer David Beland dbeland@hoover.k12.al.us (256) 604-9948. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. VESTAVIA HILLS SOCCER CLUB OFFICE 1973 Merryvale Road Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 (205) 978-0182 Traditional powers like St. Pauls, Hoover and Spanish Fort all changed leaders as did reigning state champs Pike Road and Vigor. He compiled a 51-12 record over five seasons with the Trojans including three region championships and five quarterfinal playoff appearances. A whole lot. 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. Sadly, it would be their last. Reach her at madoline.markham@homewoodlife.com. In the total scheme of things, relationships matter most. One is senior offensive lineman Hoke Smith, he said. He should be called the head coach, Calhoun said. Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes directs his team during 7-on-7 football action at Samford University in Homewood, Ala., Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Cole Turner is a senior receiver. Everyone who knows Coach Anderson knows that this is why he did it, and what he cared about mostpositively impacting the lives of everyone around him. We have the pieces of the puzzle here, and its my job to move them around to make that product. We are excited to see them get playing time., Competition is still ongoing to see who will be the triggerman for Calhouns offense. And I know God still has a plan for me, I just dont know what all it will be yet.. They wrestled together, they are in the same workout group. Claim this team Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. Spanish Fort needed a new coach after Blackmon left after seven years. Life is like football, he told me. 2235 Limerock Rd. "I made mistakes. The Jaguars went 7-4 each of the last two years and made the playoffs. While his focus was always on the students, Coach Anderson saw many wins in his tenure too. 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 If you cant do the right thing in the classroom, theres no way in the world I can count on you on the field. 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. 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. Kids want to belong to something bigger than their self. Thats what really matters. Tough people do. I could have done things differently, but I don't admit wrongdoing inside the walls of Hoover High School. It was an honor meeting him. Still, the Tigers usually have talent and now have a coach with a state title on his resume. Thats a fancy name for what he does. Coach Anderson was inducted into the 2003 Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. Calhoun was recommended to the Board of Education by a search committee including Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Todd Freeman, VHHS Principal Tonya Rozell, Athletic Director and VHHS alumnus Jeff Segars, and Assistant Superintendent Patrick Martin.Freeman described Calhoun as a dedicated family man and professional with impeccable character. He will lead our football program into the future with the integrity that has been the foundation of our program. I have been fortunate to know Coach Anderson for years, and when we talked about this story, I couldnt pass up the chance to ask a few questions of my own. Propst gained national notoriety through the MTV series Two-A-Days, which chronicled the 2005 and 2006 seasons of his Hoover team. Also, parents dont need to make it all better all the time. Basketball, Boys' We as coaches have to find a way to put our guys in the right spot so they can succeed as individuals and we can succeed on offense, defense and special teams. All that while being a loving coachs wifewhich is a job in itselfand she does it all with a big smile on her face. Published: Jan. 5, 2022 at 7:44 AM PST. 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. Newton had spent four years in that position for Hartselle after leaving Mountain Brook. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Fax: 205-402-5354. webmaster@vhcs.us 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 has three state titles on his resume and expects to win at Orange Beach as well. "His values and commitment to excellence are aligned with those of our school system and community. Phone: 205-402-5350. Smith returns to The Hill after having spent four years as an assistant there under current UAB coach Bryant Vincent from 2007-2010. Grider has had success as a program builder. David Lundberg will coach the offensive line and serve as running game coordinator. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com). He is a phenomenal human being, and a phenomenal coach. Mark Freeman won two. 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). The first thing I told this team is that I am a Christian. He played with a broken forearm last year. But to me and the thousands of young men that got to play for him during his career, his biggest value was in the impact he had in our lives as husbands, fathers, Christian leaders, friends and really, just as people living in our communities. Jones insisted that the apology was unwarranted, saying that Ford's story was solid and that the evidence was irrefutable. Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History. This year felt right. He was signed as a tight end but ended up playing tackle for the Bulldogs. During the 2019 football season, Propst co-hosted Tennessee Two-A-Days, a radio show on Fox Sports Knoxville. . Every coach since Vincents 2010 title has won at least one. In February, 1978, assistant Buddy Anderson became Head Coach Buddy Anderson. He previously served eight years as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at Hoover High School and spent time at Oak Mountain, Spanish Fort, and UAB. He never once put me off or was too busy to help a young coach. When my dad passed away, he was one of the first to call, and we talked for over an hour. Browning expressed concerns over reports that grades for certain athletes had been altered to make them eligible for college play, and made those concerns known to Hoover City Schools Superintendent Andy Craig in a meeting in April. Guess was Pinsons offensive coordinator last season and was wide receivers coach for five years before that. Hes our best lineman and one of our best overall football players. My dad was always my coaching mentor in life, and around 2007 I gained Buddy Anderson as another mentor. Today eight coaches at VHHS are Andersons former players too. Vestavia Hills Football Retweeted. Thank you all for all that you do for Vestavia Athletics. 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. Do we have as many as the top teams in our region? 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. Coach, Head Coach - 7th Men's Basketball, Asst. Mine was a calling, and maybe somebody else is going into it for other reasons. Vestavia Hills' Hoke Smith (74) celebrates a score against Hoover with Randall Stokes in a 2019 file photo. Were going to lean on him a lot. [22] Bishop originally announced that there was nothing to be concerned about, but Craig overruled Bishop and announced that a full investigation would be carried out, to be headed by former federal judge Sam C. Pointer, Jr.[23][24].