“With a successful program like Randall, and the timing of the coaching change, we felt it was incredibly important to make sure that the production of our athletes did not decline,” Tucker said. “Coach (Brad) Propst brings stability in a short timeline as well as an incredible baseball pedigree. I feel we won’t miss a beat with this hire.”
Propst, 34, isn’t a stranger to Randall graduating from the school in 2007. From there, Propst went on to play his college ball at Frank Phillips College, and three years at Oklahoma State where he cracked the rotation as a starting pitcher. Propst was a late draft pick of the Houston Astros in 2011 and played in Houston’s minor league system for two years before calling it a career.
Propst then dipped his toes into coaching starting at Lubbock High with his high school coach, Steve Ribera, before landing in Willis with another former Randall baseball coach, David Walden. Propst spent one year under Walden before taking over the Willis baseball program for the next five years.
“The first time I became a head coach, I’d only been in coaching for three years,” Propst said. “I thought at that time I knew everything about baseball, but I quickly realized I needed to know a lot more about baseball, coaching and everything else that comes with it.”
After leaving Willis, Propst and his family wanted to get back toward Amarillo. Propst’s wife, Amanda, found a teaching job while Propst was being a stay-at-home dad looking for an opportunity. Needing a job, Propst reached out to Hamilton about a position and the rest is history.
“I asked coach (Cory) Hamilton if I could come volunteer and help out,” Propst said. “He then asked me if I wanted to teach four classes in the spring of 2022. I was volunteering for the baseball team as well and then landed the role as coach Hamilton’s assistant this past school year.”
Hamilton echoed Propst’s comment.
“It just all worked out,” Hamilton said. “We had a coach leave and he came in at the right time. He’s a great teacher and I don’t think more deserving person to step into role. He steps into whatever role necessary really well. He relates to the young guys and just does a fantastic job.”
Being older with more experience, Propst is relishing the opportunity to be a head coach again for his alma mater.
“To be able to be in this seat back at Randall is incredible,” Propst said. “It’s almost like a dream come true. I grew up on this baseball field, my parents helped with the program anyway they could. I grew up going to the Steve Ribera baseball camp in 1996. Just to be able to be a part of this is hard to believe.”
Propst is now tasked with continuing the strong tradition of Randall baseball. The Raiders have to replace 11 seniors that were a part of a 38-5 year in the spring and made a run to the UIL Class 4A state semifinals.
“It’s the next guy up,” Propst said. “The expectation never changes here. It’s to compete for a district championship and make it deep in the playoffs. Yes, we do lose a lot, but our JV and freshman teams were really good. There will be big shoes to fill, but we have guys coming up that are capable of continuing the success.”