Ryan's hope

ATLANTA -- Josh Niblett's leaving Oxford High School to become Hoover's head football coach created disappointment at Oxford, but at least one Auburn University player sees it as good news.
Ryan Pugh, a true freshman and Auburn's starting left offensive tackle, played for Hoover under Ohatchee native Rush Propst. Pugh's dad was on Propst's staff.
Propst resigned amid scandals this season, and Pugh said he likes his alma mater's new coach.
"I've met Coach Niblett," Pugh said. "He's a good guy. I think he'll do a good job there."
On the field, Niblett's Oxford teams went 21-11 in three seasons. The Yellow Jackets won all 10 of their games this season, but the AHSAA ruled they had to forfeit seven because of an ineligible player.
Hoover has been one of the state's Class 6A powerhouses and was on Pugh's watch.
"I wish the players there the best of luck, the community," he said. "I hope they continue to win because I think they still have the ability to. They still have kids that can win.
"It's a program that you hate to see fall off. They did a good job of establishing where it's at, and just to keep it going like that."