"global": { Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. Freeman had a tremendous run in the private school ranks in Alabama Independent School Association football at Bessemer Academy before he moved to Alabama High School Athletic Association public football. If you told me, You cant do this. Then Im going to go in and do my best, Freeman said. Words wouldnt be able to explain that moment.. This year, despite losing star quarterback Tyler Johnstonto a knee injury in Week 5, Spanish Fort went 12-2 and reached the Class 6A state semifinals before losing to Saraland. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. So, again, the question must be answered: How did a team that went 0-10 before Freemans arrival and hadnt had a winning season since 2006 turn into a showcase national program? C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus Thompson fulfilling his promise in more ways than one. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. Ganus played high school ball at Chelsea and played linebacker at UAB prior to the closure of the Blazers football program in 2014. History of High School Football in Alabama Coaches Project 2023 Head Coach changes New Topic Reply to Topic Printer Friendly: Previous Page: Author: Topic : Page: of 4: vvala45 New Forum Member. Jaiden Thompson (3) busts a move to get to the basket. 2 class in 2022, are reaping the benefit of another nationally relevant football program in their backyard. Auburn hadn't signed an Auburn High School player since 2009, but Harsin landed offensive lineman Eston Harris Jr. and linebacker Powell Gordon in 2022. records may be incomplete. Its allowed five points per game, and 24 of those came in the regular-season finale a loss to nearby power Hoover. Hes got what the kids call bounce.. 2 in Alabama) and defensive lineman Peter Woods (No. Central Cabarrus coach Jim Baker poses for a photo with his four seniors: Gavin Bullock (30) Micah Murray (33) Adriel Miller (14) Elijah Ford (22) and Jaiden Thompson (3). A four-star recruit, hes ranked No. Jaidens a very talented player, Baker said. Its miracle win to bring another state. The Thompson-Hoover rivalry has become one of the best in the state. Once that first game came and everything was so quick and easy, I was just (snaps fingers), Yeah, I can do this.. 1 recruit in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He had a two-year stint at Gulf Shores before Spanish Fort lured him away. You could have one bad game, and you kind of, like, judge yourself, and you ask yourself, Is this really what I want to do?, It would bring my confidence down. Thompson had a solid freshman season, putting up 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. "I think every team wants to win. Heck, if theres anything more important to him than his biological family, its this group of guys and their coaches. High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . No passion missing; it burns like hot fish grease in Thompson, and his coach loves the way he is. He felt he was on his way. Harsin, former defensive coordinator Derek Mason and a number of assistants visited Williamson during Woodyard's recruitment, and coach Melvin Pete Jr. was impressed by their professional style. Pete enjoyed a conversation with Harsinin December about how Auburn schemed in the Iron Bowl. Thompson Football Staff Players (118) Staff (3) Help the team get started! Were like a family. Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. There arent many words for that, Thompson says. You can cancel at any time. His Rebels were also runner-up in 2001 and 2005. "I know I am saying blessed a lot, but what a day. All rights reserved. Team 8-4 - Language Arts, AVID. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. How do you go from that 6-4 year and what ways can I get our kids over that hump. Central has played for the 7A championship in three of the last four seasons, beating Thompson 52-7 in 2018 . And when you put together a 60-1 record over the course of two years, it takes something special, something stronger than Xs and Os and talent. Taylor High School. Thompson High School coach Mark Freeman said the 6-foot-2 Fegans almost tricks a quarterback into throwing the ball by purposefully making him think a receiver is open. I knew he had a plane to get to, and I kept trying to hurry him out, Eads said. That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. These days, Thompsons love for the game cant be questioned. Shelby County Schools is currently looking to fill the head coaching position at Calera High School. All rights reserved (About Us). It also means neither of those quality coaches have yet to win a playoff game in the state's largest classification yet. The Warriors havent won as many as 10 games in a season since 1987. Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football schedule released. I think the wrestling and how I use my hands contributed to the player I am today.. Thatd be like a tear-jerker moment. 0:36. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. The outworkem all came. Im going to make you a promise. I made my grandma a promise that I was going to do whatever it takes to get what I needed. That both teams are so talented and competitive makes Alabama high school football better. We now have834teams & 188,070games on AHSFHS.org. When Etheridge visited in January, it was the first and only time we have communicated with Auburn. Vigor has two rising talents: junior defensive end Michael Towner and freshman offensive lineman Micha Debose. Please subscribe to keep reading. Instructionally, what we do, its a huge win and a home run for us to bring someone in that is as quality and professional Trey is.. You trust your evaluation of kids. Prior to taking the job at Spanish Fort, Freeman went 13-9 in two seasons at Gulf Shores and took the Dolphins to the playoffs in the first season. The two lowest-paid coaches on this salary scale both led their teams to the playoffs in 2014. Itll be an RPO, air-raid type system so we do need somebody that can spit the ball out and thats something well have to find in the program or in the hallways.. Jaiden Thompson (3) is introduced before a Central Cabarrus game. Fegans laughs with a. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those who have taken notice. This was what hed wanted for most of his basketball life: to don that Green and Gold. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. He coached for almost 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. Later, the same call was made on Bullock. It was as long as any college coach had stayed to chat. He began at Thompson in the fall of 2015. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. Posted - 02/28/2023 : 12:35:46 . The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. He coached for 10 seasons at Bessemer Academy, winning AISA titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Going into Saturdays Class 3A state semifinal game against West Charlotte, he was averaging team bests of 19.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 steals for the Vikings, the 23rd-ranked team in the nation. The results are clear on the field but Alabaster City Schools Superintendent, Dr, Wayne Vickers believes Coach Freemans impact is just as prominent off the field. In another, it makes perfect sense. They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. What more were we going to do at Spanish Fort? Whenever the grammar-school-aged Thompson was feeling overwhelmed, it was as if he could click the heels of his Air Jordans together, chant Theres no place like home, and be transported to anywhere a rim hung. Assistant Football Coach at Thompson Valley High School Loveland, Colorado, United States. Make them your biggest fans.. Thats huge. He will get an extension to his contract of $13,068.60 as a 12-month employee. Brown, Newsome announces retirement as coach, C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: A Vikings program thats been great the past 2 years looks ready to take next step, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, A Pig Deal: Cannon Ballers changing the name, Cabarrus Sheriffs Office makes major drug bust with cocaine, fentanyl, cash seized, Bojangles offering fish sandwich during Lent, Concord man sentenced to 10 years for fentanyl and firearm offenses, Elizabeth Holmes gives birth to second child while seeking to further delay imprisonment, BOYS BASKETBALL: Ball doesnt bounce Concord Academys way in NCISAA 3A finals defeat to Greensboro Day, WeBuild buys historic Concord church for affordable housing, mixed use, Friday Five: New brewery, downtown streetscape and Barber-Scotia update. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue . And Faulkner, direct as they come, wanted answers. The additions come as KFC recently removed some menu items, including wings, popcorn chicken and cookies, to make room for new additions. THS Athletics. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He wanted to change the narrative.. There have been a ton of (recruiters) whove seen him. But in the fall, while it was hard for people who only knew Thompson as the top-notch ballplayer and smart, all-around good guy to tell the difference when he was on the court, one visitor to a Central preseason game could easily notice: his grandma, Phyllis Ann Faulkner. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue Devils in a private team meeting at 11:30 a.m. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. I know that theres a freshman that plays quarterback, and at the end of the day when I was a quarterback at Chelsea, I was not a quarterback I was just one of the best athletes on the team who could throw the ball OK. Thats something well look at as well. Youre going to be writing about him.. 1 and No. Hoover once had an infamous television show, Two-A-Days, document its football program and has won 13 state championships. His father, Fred, is a legendary figure in Utah high school athletics, having coached at Roy High School for 19 years, followed by a six-year stint at Fremont. At Eufaula, Rigby says Alabama assistant Charles Kelly is good at staying in touch. No JV for you, rookie. resigned from his position after four very successful years, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Waldrop said he had conversations with Etheridge and Auburn defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding, both of whom regularly made themselves available. The top spot belonged to . BRYAN HARSIN:'The first one changes you': Coaches recall their debuts in the Iron Bowl, a game that determines longevity, AUBURN BASKETBALL:I tried to score over college basketball's greatest shot blocker, Walker Kessler | Durando, Montgomery Catholic Prep is another school with consistent talent. His seven year record in baseball was 116-70, with two Final 4 appearances. It would turn out to be the most heavily-attended board meeting for a school system that's still just in its toddler years. But during his time at Calera, Simpson was also the teams baseball coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons and eventually became the schools athletic director. ALABASTER, Alabama -- A member of the central office staff at Alabaster City Schools looked around the school board room at the Alabaster Municipal Building Friday afternoon. The first-year coach Roderick Thompson of Anderson High School has had quite a journey to be a first-year head coach in high school. Now Thompson is dunking with ease in games and soaring above the crowd for rebounds. He has heard similarly from other Birmingham coaches. Theyve already landed two blue-chip recruits from Thompson in the 2022 class, and they have eyes on two more in 2023. Between 2001 and 2007 his teams went 40-1 in region play and 17-3 in the playoffs. Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. Career. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 56-38 win @ South Atlanta on 11/25/2022 6:00 PM. Weve got some guys here that have got to get on board. Photographer Kenny Grimes has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final) containing 104 photos. Head coach Lee Gibson makes a little less than half of what Floyd and Freeman do even when all of his teacher salary and supplement stipends are added up. When Harsin visited Mars Hill, he was targeting three-star offensive lineman Koby Keenum, who playsa position of priority for Auburns 2023 class. ALABASTER, Ala. In one sense, this is hardly the kind of town that comes to mind when you think of nationally relevant high school football programs. Oh, he was still a really good player for Central Cabarrus, a team hed helped to a 30-1 record the previous season, all while being named the player of the year in his conference. On 12/9, the Thomson varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Fitzgerald (GA) by a score of 32-27. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. "prerollTemplate":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x480&iu=/132916964,95765933/wvua23.com/football-friday&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&correlator=1677958717&cust_params=category=Football%20Friday%2CHigh%20School%20Sports%2CSports&video_position=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvua23.com%2Foutside-the-huddle-thompson-high-school-head-coach-mark-freeman%2F&post=189033" . Our offense will be spread, tempo. Johnson calls former Auburn assistant Travis Williams probably the best freaking recruiter Ive ever been around.. The most accomplished high school football coach in Southeast Texas is calling it a career. Coach Freeman and Thompson football have had a lot of positive impact. That season,. High school coaches who have been visited by Harsin in the last year have appreciated his honesty and his straightforward approach. On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. Alexander is locked in with the Crimson Tide for the second time. Wallace was hired in 2018, and went 11-28 overall. That tough style of play, a hard-nosed defensive mindset, has an aligning charm with the city of Alabaster. Thompsons feelings certainly werent about a lack of love for the Vikings. Not yet 6 feet, Thompson proved he belonged with the big boys, the varsity. I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. As does Thompson now. Former Auburn defensive line coach Nick Eason visited Eufaula in December, but he is the only Auburn staffer Rigby has seen at the school. Something wasnt right with the young workout fiend she used to know, the kid who was either living in the gym or dying to get there. Thats really what made me as a football player, and getting back to my roots like that was really enticing to me facilities are great, but I think people make the place, and I think the people here make this a special place.. Across the street, Swim teacher's life saved by couple's good timing, Woman dies in Friday night Tuscaloosa County crash, Golf cart-based taxi service Bama Ride in hot water with city. It kind of started in seventh grade, Thompson said. Thompson smiled as he recalled the encounter and warned, My grandma, she has a way with words. He won 15 of his 17 playoff games with the Toros. Last years team started 3-2 and finished 3-7, but lost four games by eight points or less to talented playoff teams. Visit our website for info. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. Coach Keith Etheredge has enjoyed watching Harsin develop relationships at the school. Website. Those totals did not include any monies received from head football coaches for their football camps. A new barbecue restaurant in Kannapolis is taking shape. Top Coach. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. Brandon Graves Elementary Teacher / Head Baseball & Asst Football Coach. 1 player in the state in the 247Sports Composite. Sophomore year, I knew I was pretty good, but I had a bad habit of comparing myself to other people, Thompson said. And weve never seen Coach Harsin on campus.. Higgins was struck by a new coach trying to learn and improve while maintaining his recruiting principles. Thompson . People were telling me, You need to transfer. Photographer Cecil Copeland has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship) containing 176 photos. Alabaster, AL thompsonwarriors.org Joined February 2016. He will also receive a supplement of $30,909.20 as head football coach and another $30,909.20 as the athletic director for Alabaster City Schools. Email Rylan Gerber. University of Northern Colorado . Join us in the forums to submit corrections and new information. Fegans is among Alabamas latest commitments, going public last month after decommitting from Miami. If I'm the head coach at any college, thats the first thing I would do: Win the battle in your backyard which is hard to do vs. Alabama, Rigby said. Freeman also served one year as an assistant at Minor for the 2008 season. Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Near Birmingham, Gardendales Kelby Collins is No. The difference between the salaries at Hoover and Spain Park are based in education credits for each teacher within the teacher salary. Eads appreciated Harsin asking for ideas and advice about organizing a coaching clinic. Thats what I actually LOVE about this team. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. There he won consecutive state championships in 2012 and 2013. Wherever the quarterback is, you know Peter is going to be there.. Id say Im athletic, Alexander said. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. That type of concentrated talent may be just another season at a program like IMG Academy, but its not common at a public school like Thompson, which produced a total of one four- or five-star recruit in the past decade current Alabama offensive lineman Amari Kight, a four-star recruit in 2019. Shes real aggressive sometimes, but I love her. With three five-stars prospects and a four-star, Thompson has put together a defense that is nearly impenetrable. Hoover also puts out quality Division I players. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Football Coach jobs Tennis Coach jobs Camp Director jobs Head Football Coach jobs . What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. Im just trying to go MY way. Man died Wednesday. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". So how did this high school team, about 66 miles from the University of Alabama campus in a town with a population of less than 35,000, rise of out of near obscurity to become one of the best high school football programs in the country and a burgeoning pipeline for the Crimson Tide? The quintet started. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. Freeman will be well-compensated for his efforts. Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers said Freeman's first day on the job will be Jan. 5, 2015. Floyd was approved to receive $120,000 per year in annual compensation. Before that, I couldnt even get the rim, Thompson said. Thompson paused, realizing that that day had been his moment of clarity. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. She said, What are you going to do about it?. Freeman is a large part of the answer to his own question. But everybody is just on hold with a lot of these very good high school players. His teams were also state championship runner-ups in 2001 and 2005. Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History. Salary: Tony Gaines Show More Show Less 5 of 93. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Auburn is now making a push for four-star 2023 running back Jeremiah Cobb from the school. 90 nationally. 27. Cornel Thompson, who led West Orange-Stark to four state championship games and won two of them, told . Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Alabaster is the 16th largest city in the state, but its high school is home to more than 2,000 students with the population growing over the past couple of decades. Its quarterback, Bennett Meredith, is committed to Northwestern. Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. For 2023, the only states with more top-100 recruits are Florida and Texas. Even though none of Shades players had an offer from Auburn during the last recruiting cycle, Harsin was trying to make a visit before getting sidetracked. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Shelby County announces 2023 free landfill days, TMS students celebrate Black History Month, Thompson beats Oak Mountain to improve to 9-2, Thompson girls, boys win area opener against Tuscaloosa County. Search. Harsin hadnt been to Thompson. He said he had only been given a range in the hiring and interview process. station in the nations top 40 market where students and How can we make Moody more successful. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A, Photos: Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final), Photos: Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship). There are now five. CIF Fundamentals of Coaching (Information provided by district). The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. Main Number 331-228-3100 . And if when that actually comes to fruition? Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. We have chosen to publish this Valid CPR and First Aid, TB Test, Fingerprint Process, NFHS online coaching certificates; Heat Illness Prevention. He knows theyll be there after that, too, no matter where he is in life. The others welcomed him because he could play and was a great teammate. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. But by last fall, basketball was anything but that for Thompson. Jaiden Thompson takes flight last week against Shelby Crest. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. Thompson was beside himself. He has a lot of rich athletic administration experience, Thompson Principal Dr. Wesley Hester said. 197 Posts. Thompsons Jake Ganus hired as Moody football coach, Two individuals sentenced for kidnapping 3-year-old Kamille Cupcake McKinney, resulting in her death, Inmate of City of Birmingham Jail pronounced dead, found by fellow inmate, Finalists for Trussville BOE seat announced, Pinson council presents $60,000 check to schools, Springville softball blow out Pelham, continue dominant season, Obituary: Myra Carroll (August 22, 1937 February 23, 2023), Obituary: Sherry Webster Zorn (August 21, 1948 February 22, 2023), Trussville teen uses platform to build beds for children in need. Following the 2020-21 school year, Thompson was even named Teacher of the Year for the Ogden School District. He was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. Its so rewarding what we deal with. Try a week on us. TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Re-signed The San Jose Earthquakes have re-signed homegrown defender Tommy Thompson through the 2023 MLS season with an option for 2024, the club announced Tuesday. (Jeff Sentell/jsentell@al.com). Theres no my way or the highway. What I want to do is take what Ive learned, what Ive been able to take in during my five years with Thompson and apply it to Moody. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. "He asked me if I wanted to get . Burnet Jerod Rye stepped down after two seasons and a 10-11 record at the District. It pisses us off, Alexander said. Im trying to set them up for interceptions and PBUs.. The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. Longtime Thompson coach Mark Freeman said that he has never met Harsinwhen asked after National Signing Day. What I like to see is somebody who keeps coming by: Coach, I know you ain't got nothing for me this year, but tell me about who does have somebody for me. And she could see right through him. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Area school systems were able to provide requested financial data for each head football coach. In the past, Auburn has found some of its best talent in Mobile, including Williamson High School cornerback Roger McCreary, a three-star prospect who developed into a first-team All-American.