Back in later December we wrote a piece on the return of controversial Rush Propst to high school football at Ultimate Student Athletes Academy in Alabama. Propst previously led high profile programs at Hoover HS (AL) and most recently a dozen seasons at Colquitt County (GA).
USA Academy was going to operate under a similar structure that IMG Academy (FL) has made popular at a fraction of the cost. IMG costs about $80,000, while USA’s price tag was set at about $14,000.
However, word has started to circulate the past 12 hours or so that Propst is leaving the school without ever coaching a game.
In a statement to AL.com, Propst shared the following on the news:
“As many of you know, on January 2, 2020, I was introduced as the Head Football Coach for the new Ultimate Student Athletes Academy,” Propst’s statement reads. “At the time of the press conference, while I believed we had reached agreement on a majority of terms, we had not and have not entered into an employment contract. Due to a variety of factors outside of my control, I have informed USA Academy that I will no longer consider a position with USA Academy.
“I wish those associated with USA Academy much success.”
The school also planned use the excitement surrounding the addition of Propst to do a series documenting the school’s journey of building a football program from the ground up and was shopping the rights to Netflix, Amazon and other streaming services.
The school was scheduled to break ground on an impressive new 19,000 square foot football facility complete with most of the amenities that college programs enjoy including locker room, nutrition area, film rooms, player lounge, and coaches offices.
As someone who has had controversy follow him nearly every coaching stop over the past two decades, Propst has certainly done nothing to calm that perception with this latest decision.
Head over to AL.com to read more.
