In his first game back in Alabama, Pell City football coach Rush Propst threw his headset at his son on the sidelines. The bizarre action raised some natural questions about the safety of students in the state of Alabama.

There are several things to consider, naturally, but one of them seems obvious. People employed by schools should not be throwing things at children, right? Indeed, there appears to be a written policy against abusing children in the state’s publicly posted “Alabama Educator Code of Ethics.”

Per the state’s official policy on teacher-student relationships: “An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.”

More specifically, according to the state, “unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

“Committing any act of child abuse, including physical or verbal abuse.

“Committing any act of cruelty to children or any act of child endangerment.”

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Do these standards set by the state apply to Propst? That’s an interesting question considering Propst, according to the state certification website, doesn’t have a valid teaching certificate. That means only the Pell City board can hold Propst accountable.

The Pell City Board of Education hired Propst under an “employment” contract on April 18, according to the minutes of the public meeting. Pell City’s policy on employees should apply to Propst, but it doesn’t appear the state can hold him to the educator code of ethics.

Propst has skirted gray areas of the public educational system in the past. He resigned as Hoover’s coach after allegations of changing grades and an extra-marital affair. Propst then coached in Georgia from 2008-2018 but was relieved of his duties at Colquitt County High after a series of alleged misdeeds, including tax evasion. Propst received considerable attention in Georgia and nationally when he headbutted one of his players during a game. After the headbutt (the player was wearing a helmet), Propst coached the game with blood running down his face.

Tied to Propst’s employment at Pell City are major plans for the school’s football program and athletics department. The team’s home opener is on Friday against Leeds. Pell City played at Moody in its season opener last Friday. Near the end of the first half, Propst threw his headset at his son, John David Propst, to prevent his son from rushing into a sideline scuffle between players.

John David Propst is a sophomore receiver for Pell City. Asked about the incident afterwards, Propst said his son should have used better judgment and would be disciplined. It’s unclear if Propst will be disciplined for throwing his headset at his son, but Pell City’s official “employee qualifications and duties” notes that “employees are expected to treat all students, co-employees, visitors, and guests of the Board with respect.”

Pell City’s policy on ethics goes on to note that “employees are expected to demonstrate moderation, restraint, and civility in their dealings with others and, in general, to serve as appropriate role models for students in their behavior and demeanor.”

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of “We Want Bama”, a book about togetherness, hope and rum. You can find him on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.