1 player in the state in the 247Sports Composite. Pinson Valley often has talent (see: Bo Nix). The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. 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. It had been to the playoffs only three times this century, even though a team only needs to finish in the top four in its region to qualify. He was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. Thompson's Mark Freeman hire elevates salary scale for Class 7A, Region Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. Freeman would not arrive to greet a packed school board room until approximately 35 minutes later. In a way, I was kind of alarmed. Ganus was part of a Thompson coaching staff that has won three straight 7A state championships from 2019-2021. An extended COVID-19 recruiting dead period ended June 1, 2021. Thompson took another step forward in 2018, advancing to the Class 7A State Championship Game. Thomson High School (GA) Varsity Football - MaxPreps.com I would see everybody get these offers, and sometimes people base their lives on one game. "Some of those kids who didn't have all the stars that (Harsin) brought in are really good players. I watched him in the Gadsden City game. Burnet Jerod Rye stepped down after two seasons and a 10-11 record at the District. Harsin's son plays for Auburn High. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". Wallace is expected to transfer. The Freeman and Floyd hirings have signaled a new era in Alabama high school football. Whatever that it is and wherever it takes him. I grew up right down the road from Alabaster, Freeman said. OK, I was a lot alarmed. Jaiden Thompson (3) flies high to block a shot. As does Thompson now. Central has played for the 7A championship in three of the last four seasons, beating Thompson 52-7 in 2018 . Thompson, 52, was in his fourth season as head coach at Mira Mesa High, his alma mater. Coming back here and kind of turning this program around was a big thing for me.. He wants to keep the promise he made to his grandma before the season: no distractions, nothing but his best as he strives for his best. During the 90-minute office conversation with Higgins, Harsin discussed how hes trying to learn more about Southern culture and the kids here. 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. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had . Theyre not practicing the way we want them to practice. One region athletic director told AL.com earlier this year that he feared an "arms race" might be upon us. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Some names on that C.C. He was named the AISA Football Coach of the Year in 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2007 and the Coach of the Year according to the Alabama Sports Writers in 2004, 2005 and 2006. AHSFHS.org - Alabama High School Football Coaches The others welcomed him because he could play and was a great teammate. Jaiden Thompson (3) leaving it all on the court. It's a recurring theme: Seven of the 14 coaches who spoke with the Advertiser hadnot met Harsin. Theyve already landed two blue-chip recruits from Thompson in the 2022 class, and they have eyes on two more in 2023. Official Twitter Page of Thompson High School Athletics. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. The difference between the salaries at Hoover and Spain Park are based in education credits for each teacher within the teacher salary. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. And, yes, I went on to write about him. Hoover recently snapped Thompsons 27-game winning streak, and the two seem to be on a collision course to meet in the playoffs this season too. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Shortly after that meeting ended, the new coach spoke about the challenges and opportunity of taking over at Moody. When we are able to win and we want to win, then we are going to win.". Weve got some guys here that have got to get on board. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Freeman, 55, told AL.com at the meeting that he hadn't even seen his contract or knew his final salary number. Hoover once had an infamous television show, Two-A-Days, document its football program and has won 13 state championships. Playing ball was what hed done for so long, he almost was on auto-pilot out there. Tweets & replies. He will get an extension to his contract of $13,068.60 as a 12-month employee. Im not a fan of anybody, but I just respected him coming in and talking about getting the culture right, Gardner said. He stepped down at Bessemer Academy following the 2007 football season and served as the quarterbacks coach at Minor in 2008. Win the battle in my backyard at all costs. "Its a blessed day," Freeman said. So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. It was as long as any college coach had stayed to chat. Auburns top signee in the 2022 class was Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard, a flipped commitment from Alabama. You trust your evaluation of kids. He said he had only been given a range in the hiring and interview process. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. Highland Home has been a revolving door of head coaches visiting Faulk, including Tennessees Josh Heupel. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. 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? High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . Top Coach | Migrated News Please subscribe to keep reading. Thompsons feelings certainly werent about a lack of love for the Vikings. Ganus said hes excited to helm the Blue Devils, even though it will be much different than his work with Thompson. One night, after the Vikings played in the holiday tournament at Mount Pleasant, I was walking to my car to head off and write my story. Thompson paused, realizing that that day had been his moment of clarity. His girls basketball team made the playoffs from 2006-08, and his boys basketball team was state champion in 2008 and made the play-offs seven seasons. Football Coach jobs Tennis Coach jobs Camp Director jobs Head Football Coach jobs . At Eufaula, Rigby says Alabama assistant Charles Kelly is good at staying in touch. "I grew up right down the road from Alabaster," Freeman said. 11 in the 247Sports Composite and already stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. 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. I grew up playing a lot of sports. Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. Everytime you can affect people, its like an injection of energy. Alabaster City Schools approved Freeman as the new head football coach at Thompson on Friday. San Rafael football is in search of a Junior Varsity Head Coach, Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator, Junior Varsity Defensive Coordinator, and Varsity Linebackers coach. Alabama High School Football History - ahsfhs.org How much did Tommy Thompson weigh when playing? His focus right now is getting past West Charlotte, into the state title game, and then coasting back down the interstate with a championship medal around his neck. There he won consecutive state championships in 2012 and 2013. I wrestled, I played baseball. But this transfer portal has really hurt a kid like Jaiden because the decision for these college coaches is, Do I take a high school kid, or do I wait and see if I can find somebody in the portal that may have played at a little bit lower level but the kid is averaging seven points and four rebounds and has a year of experience under him? This whole portal thing, I think, has hurt the true high school kid.. Bryan Harsin's Auburn football recruiting strategy has coaches miffed High school coaches who have been visited by Harsin in the last year have appreciated his honesty and his straightforward approach. But by last fall, basketball was anything but that for Thompson. "dfpConfig": { The quintet started for the C.C. Football Coaches. Defensive lineman Peter Woods and cornerback Tony Mitchell are uncommitted five-star 2023 recruits with offers from the Crimson Tide, among many other high-profile schools. Longtime Thompson coach Mark Freeman said that he has never met Harsinwhen asked after National Signing Day. Thompson's Jake Ganus hired as Moody football coach Theyve got a great group of young players coming back.. C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus' Thompson fulfilling his Eli Mendoza - Assistant Football Coach - Thompson Valley High School His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. Thompson Football Staff Players (118) Staff (3) Help the team get started! Ive just been working like crazy since then. Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. Its so rewarding what we deal with. 2022 Thompson Football Schedule; Football Information; Thompson Middle School 705 West Main Street St. Charles, IL 60174 . Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). According to the 247Sports Composite, the last time 11 top-200 recruits called Alabama home was 2008. And Updates from all around. 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. Griffin starting five might sound familiar to Central Cabarrus fans: Gavin Bullock, Adriel Miller, Eli Ford and Micah Murray. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. He may make a turnover or take a bad shot or something like that, but with him, you dont have to coach effort.. CONCORD The thumping of the ball against the hardwood, the symphony of screeching sneaker rubber echoing throughout the gym used to be metaphors for Jaiden Thompsons heartbeat. 0:36. You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? How well Harsin capitalizes on it can decide his future with the Tigers. Shade, a former Alabama player, enjoyed his conversations with Harsin and thought Harsin was a good Auburn ambassador. He was Alabamas first verbal commitment in the 2022 class when he made his decision in March 2020. Carver High School in Montgomery. The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. Lets just say that over the years, my writings have agitated some. But these next two weekends have special meaning. 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. Hes been involved in multiple sports arenas as far as coaching goes, but hes also shown success in athletic administration. It was late January, and Harsin and receivers coach Eric Kiesau were visiting Mars Hill Bible School in Florence. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Knowledge of sport. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. The 27 . It would turn out to be the most heavily-attended board meeting for a school system that's still just in its toddler years. And Faulkner, direct as they come, wanted answers. There have been a ton of (recruiters) whove seen him. "This is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. The Warriors are the pride of the community, and why wouldnt they be? Thompson coach Mark Freeman sent Hardy, who had missed an extra point in the first quarter, back on the field for a game-winning 35-yard goal try with four seconds remaining. The former Jackson State offensive coordinator has now spent four seasons as head coach at Eufaula High School in southeast Alabama, about 80 minutes from Auburn. Well, its not good for the program at Tuscaloosa County. On the night he scored his 1,000th career point, Jaiden Thompson is joined by (from left) his grandfather Nick Corry, his grandmother Phyllis Ann Faulker, his mother Keyna Ricks and his uncle Michael Ricks. Eads and former Pinson Valley coach Sam Shade (now at Miles College) were among the high school coaches who met Harsin at a seven-on-seven camp in summer 2021. "I think they can recruit with the best they've proved that in the past. 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.. "We are going to be the best at everything we can do every day.". Freeman, an Alabama graduate, attended Bessemer Academy and has maintained a home in the McCalla area. No JV for you, rookie. She was just sad and disappointed to watch me like that. They all apply to the focused Thompson, who actually plays as hard on defense as he does when hes working magic with the ball in his hands. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest turnaround. Hes got what the kids call bounce.. Westlake High School Football Coach Todd Dodge Might Be The Best Who One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. Harsin has a golden opportunity to rebound: The upcoming 2023 talent pool in Alabama is the states deepest and most top-heavy of this century. 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). Calera High School is searching for a new football coach after former head coach Trey Simpson recently joined Alabaster City Schools and Thompson High School. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Woods brings quickness and power to the position that Alabama could definitely use. field59.ipo = { But the very good, solid kid that you can win with and (have) represent the school and do the right thing, theyre holding way back on these kids right now.. To me it made a lot of sense. 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. On 12/9, the Thomson varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Fitzgerald (GA) by a score of 32-27. That winter also is when I personally started to make my first close observations of Thompsons abilities. You dont work out anymore.. When I was principal at Montevallo, I appointed him as athletic director there because of his potential.. Jaiden soared, proving himself in the AAU ranks, as well as with his C.C. Assistant Football Coach at Thompson Valley High School Loveland, Colorado, United States. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Have a long enough conversation with any coach in the region, and eventually off-the-record claims of impermissible recruiting against any number of schools will surface. 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. Email Brandon Graves. Ronnie Thompson (American football) - Wikipedia CIF Fundamentals of Coaching (Information provided by district). Jesuit High School football is off to a good start this fall, with three wins in three games. Thompsons James L Simmons Stadium underwent a facelift for the 2014 season with press box improvements and new artificial turf. 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. And it was Bethel who introduced him to the Vertimax, a machine designed to improve jumping ability. Freeman will be well-compensated for his efforts. He helped the Vikings win 30 games for the second year in a row. Youre playing Central and Opelika: Tell me what theyve got. KANNAPOLIS After walking into town 12 years ago and leaving his footprint at one of the most highly regarded programs in Cabarrus County, Mi, CONCORD They draw fans to the storied gym in droves, as if the Charlotte Hornets the original Kelly Tripucka-in-the-Charlotte-Coliseum Hor. He even led the team with 2.7 steals for a squad that went from six wins the year before to 17. Faculty & Staff / Administration - Alabaster City Schools Position: Football Coaches, San Rafael High School 23/24 Season. professionals work together to achieve the highest standards in Television Production Academy / TV & Film Home - Alabaster City Schools Things have been up and down, kind of like a roller coaster. Auburn is now making a push for four-star 2023 running back Jeremiah Cobb from the school. Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning headlines the class of 2023 as the No. This is a year when Rigby does have players most notably four-star defensive lineman Yhonzae Pierre and three-star offensive lineman Patrick Screws. Former star Marlon Humphrey was an All-American at Alabama and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Central-Phenix City once again faces off with Thompson for Class 7A
