Propst doesn't deny interest in Valdosta State coaching vacancy

With the news breaking Tuesday afternoon that Valdosta State head coach David Dean is set to join the staff at Division I Georgia Southern, many have been left wondering who the next coach for the Division II Blazers will be in 2016.

One name that has been widely discussed by fans and media members is Colquitt County head coach Rush Propst, who has led the Packers to back-to-back undefeated state championship seasons in the state’s highest classification.

On Wednesday afternoon, Propst spoke exclusively about the Valdosta State opening and his interest in coaching at the college level.

“At this time, I really don’t want to comment on that,” Propst said, when asked about any interest in coaching at Valdosta State. “It’s really best that I just don’t comment on that. And that’s not normally my thing, but it’s best.”

When asked about whether anyone at Valdosta State has contacted him about the coaching vacancy, Propst again took the no comment route.

“Again, I don’t think it’s best to comment on that, right now” Propst said. “You can read into that however you want.”

Propst, 58, did however say he has interest in coaching at the college level. After winning the 2015 state title, Propst told various media outlets he would leave Colquitt County for a college coaching position. He reconfirmed that Wednesday.

“It’s always been a challenge to me, to entertain that thought,” Propst said. “I’m not going to lie. It’s been an entertaining challenge. But it’s been a challenge here, at Colquitt County, to chase a three-peat deal.”

Propst did say Wednesday that he has no interest in leaving Colquitt County for another high school job in the state of Georgia, putting a special emphasis on high school.

“I would not leave this job for another high school job in the state of Georgia,” Propst said. “What we have going on here at Colquitt County, I think this is the best high school program in the state. There are none better. So I wouldn’t leave for another high school job.”

Before ending the call, Propst elaborated more on his interest in the college level.

“Once we (coaches) achieve goals, and we have in multiple states, we look to accomplish new goals at the next level,” Propst said. “That’s why high school coaches look to college and college coaches look to the NFL.

“So yeah, the college game is entertaining and it is a challenge.”

Propst is one of the most popular high school football coaches in the nation. Prior to coming to Colquitt County, Propst built Hoover (Ala.) High School into a national powerhouse, winning five state championships (including four straight), which led to a two-year show on MTV which chronicled the football program.

Following his resignation from Hoover in 2007, for what Propst admitted was because of a relationship with a woman other than his wife, he was hired at Colquitt County in 2008, where he has led the Packers to seven straight semifinal berths and three state championship game appearances, winning each of the past two state titles.