That both programs are in the Birmingham metro area is a feather in the cap for the Crimson Tide football program, which is just a short ride away. That defeat still rings in the ears of the team, especially the defense, which isnt accustomed to teams crossing the goal line once, never mind how many times Hoover did. New Orleans (La.) YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. His teams were also state championship runner-ups in 2001 and 2005. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media In the four years before Thompson and Bullock got to campus, the Vikings won a total of 33 games. 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.. He felt he was on his way. Things have been up and down, kind of like a roller coaster. He even referenced the model set by former Cox Mill star Wendell Moore Jr., who led the Chargers to back-to-back state titles before going on to shine at Duke and become the first Cabarrus County-bred athlete to be chosen in the NBA Draft. Im just trying to go MY way. A lot of people thought Oh you just got a great coach. Well, its not good for the program at Tuscaloosa County. The school board meeting to welcome Freeman has swelled to near capacity some 15 minutes before the board meeting. That facility will also come with a new football stadium. He needed to hit that growth spurt, and he needed to become familiar with the weight room. The top spot belonged to . There have been a ton of (recruiters) whove seen him. I dont know if Ive ever raised my voice at Jaiden, Baker said. Since then, Ive made it a point to keep up with Thompson. Freeman ran late for his big introduction. You cant describe him, Alexander said. 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. Football. Im trying to set them up for interceptions and PBUs.. When I heard that, I said, Yeah, Ive got to do something about this, he said. Website. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. Hoover has faced it plenty over the years. You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? Thompson Football Staff Players (118) Staff (3) Help the team get started! But weve got an outstanding individual that loves our kids and loves our parents, loves our school system.. And for that to actually happen? Theyre going to find guys who want to do all those things.. The outworkem all came. Thompson was beside himself. Hoover City Schools pays its football coaches the same $47,741 stipend. The Class 7A team hasnt been to the playoffs since going 8-4 in 2006. When I was principal at Montevallo, I appointed him as athletic director there because of his potential.. What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. Faulkners first grandbaby, Thompson was, in many ways, HER heartbeat. Suddenly, the window rolled down and a man called out, Horton! She was just sad and disappointed to watch me like that. Theres no tearing stuff down. Email Steven Hoffmann. People were telling me, You need to transfer. Jaiden Thompson poses with a plaque honoring him as the SPC Player of the Year after the Vikings won the conference tournament championship last month. 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. In 2009, Freeman accepted the head coaching position at Gulf Shores High School. OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) - Erik Thompson was born to be a football coach. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. 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.. Shes real aggressive sometimes, but I love her. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue Devils in a private team meeting at 11:30 a.m. He was Alabamas first verbal commitment in the 2022 class when he made his decision in March 2020. The difference between the salaries at Hoover and Spain Park are based in education credits for each teacher within the teacher salary. As does Thompson now. Weve got some guys here that have got to get on board. How do those salary ranges compare to the rest of Class 7A, Region 3? 90 nationally. Highland Home has been a revolving door of head coaches visiting Faulk, including Tennessees Josh Heupel. Shade, a former Alabama player, enjoyed his conversations with Harsin and thought Harsin was a good Auburn ambassador. Volunteer Roster last updated on Feb 16, 2023 @ 5:45pm (GMT) Print Roster Correction All-Time Roster 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. And, yes, I went on to write about him. Valid CPR and First Aid, TB Test, Fingerprint Process, NFHS online coaching certificates; Heat Illness Prevention. "This is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. According to the 247Sports Composite, the last time 11 top-200 recruits called Alabama home was 2008. 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. The Crimson Tide, who have the No. Also, for the past three seasons, Thompson has been the Vikings leading scorer, with each campaign ending with the SPC titles. Johnson calls former Auburn assistant Travis Williams probably the best freaking recruiter Ive ever been around.. There arent many words for that, Thompson says. Media. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Woods brings quickness and power to the position that Alabama could definitely use. The Tigers did not add anybody to their 2022 class on National Signing Day earlier this month. Ive lived my life thinking I can (out)work people. Alabama has more in its backyard than other traditionally talent-rich SEC states, including Louisiana and Georgia. A lot of D-I people like him, some D-IIs. And thats OK. Be your own program and stop missing out on really good Alabama kids because Alabama didn't offer them.. You have permission to edit this article. This family, after all, has a close bond. How tall was Tommy Thompson? Ty Branyon. Alabama High School Football Head Coaches Mark Freeman Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. 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. He also coached softball, powerlifting, girls and boys basketball. Join to view profile Thompson Valley High School. He ran from the other side of the field all the way to our sideline and tackled the quarterback, Fegans said. 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. Another thing that needs context is how hyper competitive Class 7A, Region 3 football is within the state. Moore heard those private-school whispers, too. The quintet started for the C.C. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. Website. "It is going to be special.". 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. That potential was something he took with him to Calera as a baseball coach, athletic director and football coach. . Heck, if theres anything more important to him than his biological family, its this group of guys and their coaches. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History. Wendell stayed at public school, he stayed grounded, he stayed with Cox Mill for four years. He and AU defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge are close friends. All those clichs about the best player on the team being the hardest worker on the team, yada, yada, yada? He went 13-9 during two seasons at Gulf Shores and led the Dolphins to the second round of the playoffs in 2009. With his wife already a little miffed at him from moving away from Gulf Shores, Freeman didnt have any thoughts of leaving Spanish Fort for another high school job. Simpson spent the previous two years coaching the Eagles after taking over for Andrew Zow ahead of the 2019 season. High school coaches who have been visited by Harsin in the last year have appreciated his honesty and his straightforward approach. Shelby County Schools is currently looking to fill the head coaching position at Calera High School. And while some schools showed interest in him taking his talents there, the recruiting slowed down, no matter how much he was thrashing his competition on a team that was one of the best around. I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. "He asked me if I wanted to get . Rigby hasn't met Harsin. Its kind of like a letdown, you know, because everybody has all these big expectations. "global": { Photographer Cecil Copeland has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship) containing 176 photos. I would see everybody get these offers, and sometimes people base their lives on one game. He said he had only been given a range in the hiring and interview process. 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. Win the battle in my backyard at all costs. The funds generated by those summer camps can typically add another $10,000-$30,000 to a coach's bottom line income in some cases. So if everybody took two players at the Apps and East Carolinas and Wilmingtons and all that, a lot of kids get to go play. Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. I cant wait to see him play next year. He coached for almost 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. "I want everyone else to know we are going to be a major player in everything we do for our children," Vickers said. Here's an updated ranking of how Class 7A, Region 3's salary structure adds up: The salary data isn't everything. The towns high school, Thompson, isnt like many modern schools with similar high-profile football programs, like IMG Academy, Mater Dei or any number of private schools that annually compete for championships and pump out Division I prospects. Bowie High School Football Search. But Johnson was confused that we just signed three defensive players to major universities, and only one of them had an Auburn offer. (Two went to Clemson; the other to Tennessee.) Ive just been working like crazy since then. McCaskey has found its football coach for the 2021 season, which is right around the corner. In the 2022 class, the state's No. 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). Thompson has won back-to-back state championships in the states highest classification and is a prime contender for another this season. 1 and No. Gardendale coach Chad Eads is another multi-decade coaching veteran who has seen all kinds of things that I didn't like and things I wish they wouldn't say. But he was impressed with Harsin when he and a few assistants visited recently. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. Sophomore year, I knew I was pretty good, but I had a bad habit of comparing myself to other people, Thompson said. New Auburn defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh has already been around at Highland Home, where defensive end Keldric Faulk is a top-100 recruit who attended Auburns recent junior day. Brandon Graves Elementary Teacher / Head Baseball & Asst Football Coach. 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. But after realizing that I wanted it for myself, then things just started to pick up.. Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. 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. Freeman, 55, told AL.com at the meeting that he hadn't even seen his contract or knew his final salary number. Now Thompson is dunking with ease in games and soaring above the crowd for rebounds. Freeman resigned from his position after four very successful years at Spanish Fort and the Alabaster board quickly moved to approve that personnel action with no discussion. Coach Kirk Johnson has handled the football teams recruiting for a number of years, developing ties at Auburn. When Harsin visited Mars Hill, he was targeting three-star offensive lineman Koby Keenum, who playsa position of priority for Auburns 2023 class. It would turn out to be the most heavily-attended board meeting for a school system that's still just in its toddler years. 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. I look forward to things to come. Mostly, though, Thompson nurses his gift in rigorous practice sessions, has fun with his teammates, shows up on game night, and fills up a box score as the Vikings put opponents out of their misery. Waldrop said he had conversations with Etheridge and Auburn defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding, both of whom regularly made themselves available. Eason was also frequently praised for his recruiting. With one of the states largest high school athletic programs at the Class 7A level, Hester said it would be beneficial for the school in many ways. Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers said Freeman's first day on the job will be Jan. 5, 2015. He will make a yearly stipend of $4,988. For us to win a state championship at Central Cabarrus, that would mean everything to me and the guys, Thompson added. . Quite frankly, thats the way the locals like it. Griffin Middle School squad. Katy ISD. Thats the altitude Thompson has currently reached with its run of impressive athletes, which also includes three-star quarterback Conner Harrell, who is committed to North Carolina. 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. This will be Ganuss first head coaching position. In the blackness of night, a car rolled up beside me. He was good. He was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Ganus said hes excited to helm the Blue Devils, even though it will be much different than his work with Thompson. He said Alabama assistant Sal Sunseri visited our school at least once per week when time was permitted., Another prominent coach in Alabama who spoke on condition of anonymity, when asked the biggest difference between Alabama and Auburn, had a simple response: Coach Saban has come by and spent up to an hour visiting with us. WVUA 23 is a competitive professional commercial television, Paul Bryant's McKanstry signs with Independence CC football, Gordo High School celebrates 2023 signing class, Former Hillcrest standout Brandon Bishop announces transfer to Liberty, Paul Bryant football introduces new head coach, Tuesday afternoon crash victim identified, Soldier, poet, or king? An extended COVID-19 recruiting dead period ended June 1, 2021. Harsin's son plays for Auburn High. 2022 Thompson Football Schedule; Football Information; Thompson Middle School 705 West Main Street St. Charles, IL 60174 . 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. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Its very much a work-hard-for-what-you-get community. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. Wallace was hired in 2018, and went 11-28 overall. Alabama High School Football History Thompson Coaches Thompson Warriors The AHSFHS.org Fan Shop Some records may be incomplete. 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.. Twenty-four (Thompsons jersey number as a freshman before he switched to his current No. Coach John Roderique started his head coaching career for Webb City High School in 1997, taking over from Kurt Thompson, who accepted the head coach position at Coffeyville . And if when that actually comes to fruition? But its worked out really great.. 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 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. Sep 17 2015. Baker said a player of Thompsons level likely wouldve already been scooped up in the past. Last years team started 3-2 and finished 3-7, but lost four games by eight points or less to talented playoff teams. Then theres Mitchell, a five-star 2023 recruit whos No. In the first game of his junior year, Thompsons spirit got some much-needed jumper cables in the form of a game in which he scored 23 points in just three quarters of action. Theyre not practicing the way we want them to practice. Even still, Thompson didnt seem like a place to win big. Thats what I actually LOVE about this team. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. And Updates from all around. Hey, what are your thoughts on this player? You know Peter is going to be back there somewhere. Thompson smiled as he recalled the encounter and warned, My grandma, she has a way with words. Alexander is locked in with the Crimson Tide for the second time. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. He's also not letting ALS take away his ability to coach, even if he's had to rely on . He backed off that pledge seven months later and decommitted. During his time with the Eagles, he helped the baseball program reach the quarterfinals of the playoffs in 2018 and then started to turn the football program around the previous two seasons in the 6A classification. field59.ipo = { Both are top-40 nationally. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. Freeman also served one year as an assistant at Minor for the 2008 season. Freeman would not arrive to greet a packed school board room until approximately 35 minutes later. Main Number 331-228-3100 . You couldnt really see it, unless you had Phyllis Anns keen eyes. Burnet Jerod Rye stepped down after two seasons and a 10-11 record at the District. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. Position: Coach - JV Football - Davis Senior High School, July-November 2023, $3,366.00/season. Thompsons feelings certainly werent about a lack of love for the Vikings. Brown, Newsome announces retirement as coach, C. 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The Alabaster City Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in any of its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Now, reaching the 30-win plateau -- in ONE season is the standard. Jeff Ables. 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. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. Freeman will be well-compensated for his efforts. Working with him before, it was a fortunate opportunity for us to have this chance to bring him on board.. Harsin's message on the recruiting trail has been firm:Auburn wants a specific type of player who is ready to love football and meet his demanding standards. Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. Coach Freeman led the Rebels to four State Championships in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Griffin MiddleSchool team in seventh and eighth grade. Ganus was part of a Thompson coaching staff that has won three straight 7A state championships from 2019-2021. DS David Simone Team 8-3 - Language Arts. After graduation, he coached at various high schools. Mar 2, 2023 Updated 27 min ago. But by last fall, basketball was anything but that for Thompson. The Advertiser spoke to 14 Alabama high school coaches about how Auburn has recruited their programs. 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. There is no lack of challenge or ego in the region. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. When the recruiting contact period started last fall, Harsin was the first college coach to bring his full recruiting staff to the school.