Its going to be scary.. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. Thomson 56. It took Freeman a couple of years to get it going. Pinson Valley often has talent (see: Bo Nix). Visit our website for info. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. And the whole country has been here, pretty much., Gardner, whos entering his second year at Carver, said he and Harsin talked about their common experiences in new jobs. Jaidens a very talented player, Baker said. Buildings are filling up. 0. He had been battling bone cancer, but is believed to have succumbed to complications from COVID-19. Eads appreciated Harsin asking for ideas and advice about organizing a coaching clinic. 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. How well Harsin capitalizes on it can decide his future with the Tigers. He coached for 10 seasons at Bessemer Academy, winning AISA titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Hey, you played so-and-so, tell me about him., "Those are the guys you develop that relationship with, that when the chips are down, you need a little help, need a little bump, theyll help you out., Rigby said newly-hired Troy coach Jon Sumrall has made it his goal to go visit every high school, to walk through the doors of every high school in Alabama. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. While at Bessemer Academy, Coach Freeman also served as the head baseball coach. The others welcomed him because he could play and was a great teammate. The run included a 31-game win streak, eventually snapped by Daphne late in the 2014 season. Thompson had a solid freshman season, putting up 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. 17 nationally, and his teammates are often wowed by his skills. The board approved him through a solitary personnel action. Faulkner had been helping take care of Jaiden since he was yay high, back when he and his mother, Keyna Ricks, first moved back to Concord after a stint in Charlotte. C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus Thompson fulfilling his promise in more ways than one. 19) in over a decade. Jesuit head coach Matt Thompson was honored Thursday (Sept. 17) at One Buc Place as the Bucs' "Coach of the Week." Thompson earned the honor following Jesuit . Its very much a blue-collar, working-class community. Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. He wanted to change the narrative.. In the spring of 1978, Dodge's freshman year at Jefferson, the school hired a new coach, former Yellow Jacket Ronnie Thompson, to restore some pride in the football team. Whatever that it is and wherever it takes him. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. 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. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. Jaiden Thompson (3) shoots the J with a hand in his face. Once that first game came and everything was so quick and easy, I was just (snaps fingers), Yeah, I can do this.. Alabaster City Schools is planning a new high school that should be open in less than three years. He even led the team with 2.7 steals for a squad that went from six wins the year before to 17. 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. 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. I think Auburn's going to be OK," Pouncey said. 3) is the one you need to watch! At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Woods brings quickness and power to the position that Alabama could definitely use. Knowledge of sport. Thompson Football Documents. Congratulations to Jontavis Curry, Noah Story, Marcellus Brigham and Jordan Jones for being selected the Thomson players of the game. 7 recruits played at Thompson. 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. Thompson graduated in 1962 from Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas and went on to play at Louisiana College. 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. McCaskey has found its football coach for the 2021 season, which is right around the corner. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. 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. After National Signing Day, Harsin hadnot visited Montgomery Catholic, which is 50 minutes from Auburn. Please try a new search. That potential was something he took with him to Calera as a baseball coach, athletic director and football coach. Media. He helped the Vikings win 30 games for the second year in a row. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. Eason was also frequently praised for his recruiting. He has built a powerhouse at Thompson winning four state championships in a row. His teacher contract will be $46,113 annually. Coach Freeman and Thompson football have had a lot of positive impact. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." us to complete every school. Theyre not showing up for meetings on time. And (Auburns coaches) really dont have any tolerance for that in the program. His Rebels were also runner-up in 2001 and 2005. 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. Longtime Thompson coach Mark Freeman said that he has never met Harsinwhen asked after National Signing Day. Floyd was approved to receive $120,000 per year in annual compensation. 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. In the 2022 class, the state's No. It was a chance, but we knew it would be risky because we were in a great job in a great place. 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. Now, reaching the 30-win plateau -- in ONE season is the standard. Thompson went 0-10 last year and 7-23 in three years under Mike Montgomery. He moved on to Gulf Shores in 2009. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. Jaiden Thompson averaged nearly 20 points per game thisseason. Some We have chosen to publish this Niblett has led Hoover to three straight state titles in the AHSAA's largest classification. I think he wanted to have what he had at Boise, at Auburn, Higgins said. }; Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. Jaiden Thompson takes flight last week against Shelby Crest. Both coaches compete in Class 7A, Region 3. That winter also is when I personally started to make my first close observations of Thompsons abilities. The TV & Film Academy is also the home of THS TV, Thompson High School's student-run newscast. Hoover has faced it plenty over the years. You couldnt really see it, unless you had Phyllis Anns keen eyes. Everybodys thinking about the recruiting process, Thompson said. 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. But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. I think you get the inspiration, its like an injection of energy. Freeman went 50-7 in four years with the Toros, leading them to state championships in 2012 and 2013. San Rafael football is in search of a Junior Varsity Head Coach, Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator, Junior Varsity Defensive Coordinator, and Varsity Linebackers coach. 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. 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? 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. That means his teams have played for a title in eight of the 16 seasons he's been a head coach. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. The school board meeting to welcome Freeman has swelled to near capacity some 15 minutes before the board meeting. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). He was Alabamas first verbal commitment in the 2022 class when he made his decision in March 2020. All those clichs about the best player on the team being the hardest worker on the team, yada, yada, yada? Ty Branyon. Simpson spent the previous two years coaching the Eagles after taking over for Andrew Zow ahead of the 2019 season. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting And Faulkner, direct as they come, wanted answers. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. 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. THS TV allows students the opportunity to work in all areas of production, including behind-the-scenes and on-camera for news programs, our "Hey Coach" show, live sports events such as football games, and other sports and entertainment programming. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. All rights reserved. Ganus played high school ball at Chelsea and played linebacker at UAB prior to the closure of the Blazers football program in 2014. 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.. professionals work together to achieve the highest standards in His softball teams made Final 4 appearances from 2003-05, and his powerlifting teams were 3 time State Champs. 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. Volunteer Roster last updated on Feb 16, 2023 @ 5:45pm (GMT) Print Roster Correction All-Time Roster Hes got what the kids call bounce.. No matter how bad the Vikings had been before his arrival. Mark Freeman is the new head football coach at Thompson High School. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Theyre going to find guys who want to do all those things.. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. People were telling me, You need to transfer. There are now five coaches in Class 7A, Region 3 that pay their head football coach a combined salary of more than $100,000 per season. 0:36. Theyre not practicing the way we want them to practice. Wherever the quarterback is, you know Peter is going to be there.. Everytime you can affect people, its like an adrenaline shot.. Katy ISD. Shade, a former Alabama player, enjoyed his conversations with Harsin and thought Harsin was a good Auburn ambassador. 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. Youre playing Central and Opelika: Tell me what theyve got. Shelby County Schools is currently looking to fill the head coaching position at Calera High School. We now have834teams & 188,070games on AHSFHS.org. Alabama has more in its backyard than other traditionally talent-rich SEC states, including Louisiana and Georgia. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. 2 in Alabama) and defensive lineman Peter Woods (No. He felt he was on his way. The quintet started for the C.C. Thompson was beside himself. It's a recurring theme: Seven of the 14 coaches who spoke with the Advertiser hadnot met Harsin. In another, it makes perfect sense. I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. 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. Theyve got a great group of young players coming back.. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. Position: Football Coaches, San Rafael High School 23/24 Season. "He asked me if I wanted to get . Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. 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. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . He said he had only been given a range in the hiring and interview process. Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson, ranked as the nation's No. Playing ball was what hed done for so long, he almost was on auto-pilot out there. I thought he and coach Pitts would form a really good team and relationship to help us grow Thompson athletics, Hester said. All rights reserved (About Us). His 2013 team finished 15-0 and won another Class 5A state championship with a win over Muscle Shoals in the title game. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery.