A successful 11-year run as head football coach at a South Georgia high school came to an end for Thomas "Rush" Propst last week amid scandal. An internal investigation into Propst, formerly head coach of Colquitt County High School, concluded that he gave his athletes pain pills, misallocated school funds and wasn't honest.
Propst released a statement Tuesday saying the process wasn't fair.
"I believe that certain individuals conducted an investigation into me that they shrouded in secrecy," Propst said in his statement. "They developed the conclusions of the investigation before they determined the facts. The entire process was extremely unfair to me."
Propst, who was the highest paid coach in the Peach State earning $141,000 during the 2017-‘18 school year, said he has been receiving support and encouragement from the community since his firing. "It has meant a great deal to me and my family," he said.
Propst ended his statement saying he's planning to address "the many false and misleading statements made about me in the very near future. In the meantime, I am assessing my options."
Propst's full statement:
I greatly appreciate the many words of support and encouragement I have received during the last week from so many people throughout our community. It has meant a great deal to me and my family.
I believe that certain individuals conducted an investigation into me that they shrouded in secrecy. They developed the conclusions of the investigation before they determined the facts. The entire process was extremely unfair to me. In fact, I was never interviewed and didn’t learn of the allegations, despite requests, until I read the paper Friday. I want to assure everyone that much of the information presented is totally false and the rest is misleading half-truths meant to damage my reputation and support pre-determined actions. As a coach, I always expect “fair play;” but I don’t believe it has happened in this instance.
I have been blessed with a very successful 38 plus-year coaching career. In the eleven years I’ve been here, we have built a great program and helped hundreds of students get college scholarships and many more young men begin successful lives in their communities. I am very proud of our success in Colquitt County.
There has been a lot of speculation and rumor because of the way Mr. Howell pursued this investigation and how he distributed his conclusions. It is very sad to see this create division in our community. Please don’t join too quickly in arguments with friends and family.
I look forward to addressing the many false and misleading statements made about me in the very near future. In the meantime, I am assessing my options.
Coach Propst