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Thompson . MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. 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. He knows theyll be there after that, too, no matter where he is in life. The Tigers' first 2023 commit is also from Auburn High: four-star offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner. One of the states current football hot spots is G.W. Twenty-four (Thompsons jersey number as a freshman before he switched to his current No. 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. Position: Football Coaches, San Rafael High School 23/24 Season. "dfpConfig": { Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest turnaround. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Woods brings quickness and power to the position that Alabama could definitely use. Last years team started 3-2 and finished 3-7, but lost four games by eight points or less to talented playoff teams. Thompson paused, realizing that that day had been his moment of clarity. Reed made such a positiveimpact that the Auburn alum was promoted this week to director of recruiting relations, adding to Harsin's arsenal. No JV for you, rookie. 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). Id say Im athletic, Alexander said. I can do this my way and actually go to a good college like Wendell did. Youre playing Central and Opelika: Tell me what theyve got. What happened to your work ethic? Thompson recalled her asking. Freeman won four state titles during the last decade at Spanish Fort in 2011 and 2013. Im not choosing sides on Alabama-Auburn, Rigby says, but the most important recruiting trait to him is when a college coach visits even in those years when the high school doesnt have top-rated players. professionals work together to achieve the highest standards in There he won consecutive state championships in 2012 and 2013. The only time Johnson had met Harsin was during a FaceTime with Etheridge, during which the assistant coach briefly put Harsin on the phone. The fact that neither Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson are among the three highest-paid coaches in their own region is surprising. Hes a five-star rated prospect and the No. Freeman, 55, told AL.com at the meeting that he hadn't even seen his contract or knew his final salary number. No, we got a great person, Vickers said. Quite frankly, thats the way the locals like it. Suddenly, the window rolled down and a man called out, Horton! On 12/9, the Thomson varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Fitzgerald (GA) by a score of 32-27. He said he had only been given a range in the hiring and interview process. What more were we going to do at Spanish Fort? Im trying to set them up for interceptions and PBUs.. Thompson graduated in 1962 from Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas and went on to play at Louisiana College. Auburn High School coach Keith Etheredge heard Harsin say it: You may not have all those stars, but Ive seen you play. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. In the 2022 class, the state's No. No passion missing; it burns like hot fish grease in Thompson, and his coach loves the way he is. Coach Freeman led the Rebels to four State Championships in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. His uncle and role model, former Central Cabarrus football standout Michael Ricks, had a lot to do with that, coaching Thompson on his Concord Comets team and putting him through drills like dribbling with a tennis ball to improve his ball-handling. I think he wanted to have what he had at Boise, at Auburn, Higgins said. Higgins said Harsins message was an eye-opening experience for Mars Hill players about the rigors of college football: He was very adamant on: This is going to take some time. He will get an extension to his contract of $13,068.60 as a 12-month employee. A lot of people thought Oh you just got a great coach. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. Thompsons James L Simmons Stadium underwent a facelift for the 2014 season with press box improvements and new artificial turf. Both coaches compete in Class 7A, Region 3. He was later released and eventually joined the Thompson coaching staff, coaching linebackers. "Most of the kids growing up here, most of them aspire to play for Auburn; it's their hometown,"Etheredge said. New Orleans (La.) He was Alabamas first verbal commitment in the 2022 class when he made his decision in March 2020. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . He has a lot of rich athletic administration experience, Thompson Principal Dr. Wesley Hester said. You have to build on the foundation that was set, he said. Website. And you sort of follow it, the top 70, 80, 90 kids end up going D-II and whatnot. That's what Freeman's glowing resume is expected to bring. Thompson Warrior: Sloth Nationzz AHSFHS Master Researcher. I think Auburn has to make a decision: Do you want to continue to battle Georgia and Bama guys in recruiting, or do they want to just go find really good high school players and build their name off that? 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.. Those totals did not include any monies received from head football coaches for their football camps. "He asked me if I wanted to get . . That was his happy place, his own piece of utopia. As for his immediate plans at Moody, Ganus said that he was looking to build on the recent success the team has found. That shows citizens and potential community members that their school's high school football experience will be second to none in the state of Alabama. Alabaster, AL thompsonwarriors.org Joined February 2016. Before that, I couldnt even get the rim, Thompson said. We now have834teams & 188,070games on AHSFHS.org. "This is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. The speculation, the expectations from others took its toll, even on the normally unflappable Thompson, who admits he had a tendency to internalize his emotions. 0. Email Rylan Gerber. A four-star recruit, hes ranked No. Before the early signing period, support staffer Trovon Reed was allowed to do hands-on recruiting because Auburn had a coaching opening; the NCAA restricts the number of assistants who can make home visits, but Harsin fired offensive coordinator Mike Bobo after the regular season. But its worked out really great.. He wanted to change the narrative.. I think you get the inspiration, its like an injection of energy. 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. (Hurley recently committed to Alabama.). 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. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. I believe all the state schools beside (Alabama) and Tuskegee University can do a better job with in-state recruiting. Thomson 56. The Class 7A team hasnt been to the playoffs since going 8-4 in 2006. Salary: Tony Gaines Show More Show Less 5 of 93. To the benefit of high school football in the state, theyve stayed. Auburn is now making a push for four-star 2023 running back Jeremiah Cobb from the school. These days, Thompsons love for the game cant be questioned. Thompson figured his freshman season was a success, but he knew he could be better. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. 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). Success is here.". He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. The run included a 31-game win streak, eventually snapped by Daphne late in the 2014 season. What we got to do when we go to work is we are going to put the able to win together with the want to win. The Advertiser spoke to 14 Alabama high school coaches about how Auburn has recruited their programs. Ive made a living off of beating a lot of four- and five-star kids with guys like you., Its awesome for a kid to get to hear that, Etheredge said. Theyve got a great group of young players coming back.. Top Coach. Plus, Thompson had obviously inherited at least part of his talent from his father, Andricko Thompson, who was a good basketball player in his native Shelby. He was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. Thompson took another step forward in 2018, advancing to the Class 7A State Championship Game. If were being honest, its going to be hard to get multiple kids against Georgia or Alabama, Johnson said. Coaches are paid a stipend at the end of the season for their work. He knew it, not in a cocky way. 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. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 56-38 win @ South Atlanta on 11/25/2022 6:00 PM. School board meetings don't go quite like this in Alabaster. So if you can do it at that level, you can do it at an SEC level.. 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.) 5 high school football team via SB Live, was to put its undefeated record on the line against another Birmingham-area program known for. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. Well, its not good for the program at Tuscaloosa County. On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. I wrestled, I played baseball. Im not a fan of anybody, but I just respected him coming in and talking about getting the culture right, Gardner said. It took Freeman a couple of years to get it going. I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. Thompson, 52, was in his fourth season as head coach at Mira Mesa High, his alma mater. 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. us to complete every school. 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. Even still, Thompson didnt seem like a place to win big. Another thing that needs context is how hyper competitive Class 7A, Region 3 football is within the state. Theyre not showing up for meetings on time. And (Auburns coaches) really dont have any tolerance for that in the program. And if when that actually comes to fruition? These coaches have done a great job of laying that foundation. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. But by the fall of his senior season, there he was in that preseason game, with his grandma staring from the bleachers, disappointed but mostly concerned. 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. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. Jaidens a very talented player, Baker said. 7 recruits played at Thompson. You cant describe him, Alexander said. Ty Branyon. Also, for the past three seasons, Thompson has been the Vikings leading scorer, with each campaign ending with the SPC titles. Now, theyre recruiting the freakish athlete. Government & Public Administration: Air Force JROTC. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. Ronald H. Thompson (born c. 1944) is a former American football coach. 258 Following. Well, thats going to be some moment. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue . That was probably where it was a little frustrating for him that he wasnt able to get it there as quickly as he wanted.. The answer to that is Freeman. 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 . 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. To me it made a lot of sense. I can work as good as anybody, Freeman said. In the last 20 years, Alabama averaged 4.05 top-100 recruits, 7.05 top-200 and 10.3 top-300. Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers said Freeman's first day on the job will be Jan. 5, 2015. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Youll find exponentially more 4X4 pickup trucks than Mercedes-Benz. Being able to keep that promise for my grandma would probably be the biggest thing ever.. 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. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. If you look at where Jaiden is ranked in his class, in the top 30 or so in North Carolina, normally the top 50 or 60 kids end up with a Division I offer, Baker explained. Alabama High School Football History Thompson Coaches Thompson Warriors The AHSFHS.org Fan Shop Some records may be incomplete. 17 nationally, and his teammates are often wowed by his skills. Coach: Todd Thompson. The challenge facing Harsin as he enters his second season at Auburn is making inroads while his program is geographically sandwiched between Nick Sabans established Alabama machine and Kirby Smarts emerging Georgia juggernaut. So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Its so rewarding what we deal with. In the blackness of night, a car rolled up beside me. Contact Us. Hoover also puts out quality Division I players. Join to view profile Thompson Valley High School. A lot of D-I people like him, some D-IIs. 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. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. Katy ISD. Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning headlines the class of 2023 as the No. 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. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". Where I went to high school was very similar in terms of enrollment, in terms of size and size of the community and facilities. He has not met Harsin. They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. Theyll offer that kid early. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. His 2013 team finished 15-0 and won another Class 5A state championship with a win over Muscle Shoals in the title game. Harsin's son plays for Auburn High. . Please try a new search. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. His record at Thompson in nine seasons is 83-18 and 21-2 in the playoffs. Man died Wednesday. But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. Cornel Thompson, who led West Orange-Stark to four state championship games and won two of them, told . He will also serve a dual role as the system athletic director for Alabaster City Schools. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Josh Floyd was hired by earlier this month for $121,000 per season. In 2023, the state has 11 of the top 100. 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. Calera High School is searching for a new head football coach after Trey Simpson, above, joined Thompson High School in an athletic administration role. Its a hotly contested game that draws huge crowds, benefitting both programs. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. 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. Simpson spent the previous two years coaching the Eagles after taking over for Andrew Zow ahead of the 2019 season. "Rogers (High) AD Ricky Hole was close friends with my dad," MacDonald said. There are now five. Tell us who the coach is Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. Thats huge. Website. He ran from the other side of the field all the way to our sideline and tackled the quarterback, Fegans said. Thompson has won back-to-back state championships in the states highest classification and is a prime contender for another this season. A new barbecue restaurant in Kannapolis is taking shape. PORTSMOUTH Aquidneck Island native and Portsmouth resident Keith MacDonald vividly remembers how he got his first football coaching job. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. On 12/2, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against Appling County (Baxley, GA) by a score of 20-14. Alexander is locked in with the Crimson Tide for the second time. Hes got what the kids call bounce.. 74 overall in the 2023 class. Mark Freeman is the new head football coach at Thompson High School. 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. The Tigers did not add anybody to their 2022 class on National Signing Day earlier this month. Everybodys thinking about the recruiting process, Thompson said. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. Sep 17 2015. Hes built similarly to former Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. Freeman would not arrive to greet a packed school board room until approximately 35 minutes later. I said, Im going to go get it. 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. "I've been around a lot of coaches, and he may be one of the most competitive guys I've talked to as far aswhat he expects," Keith Etheredge said. Higgins was struck by a new coach trying to learn and improve while maintaining his recruiting principles. I think that you trust your evaluation, and you don't put too much emphasis on the stars. 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. 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. Hey, what are your thoughts on this player? Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Griffin MiddleSchool team in seventh and eighth grade. Floyd was approved to receive $120,000 per year in annual compensation. 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. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. I have a great team, a great family, and we could actually win this whole thing.. 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? 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? Bowie Football Coaching Staff. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. At Eufaula, Rigby says Alabama assistant Charles Kelly is good at staying in touch. 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. Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : Its obviously different, but honestly thats what drew me to Moody from Thompson, Ganus said, because of where Im from and where I played at Chelsea. Thompson Football Documents. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Coach Kirk Johnson has handled the football teams recruiting for a number of years, developing ties at Auburn. But he acknowledges that the dynamics have changed since he was leading the Indians courting prospects. Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. 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. Team 8-4 - Language Arts, AVID. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. BP Brandon Petersen Team 8-2 - Social Studies. Playing ball was what hed done for so long, he almost was on auto-pilot out there. But later, Western Carolina pulled back its offer because of a coaching change. But after realizing that I wanted it for myself, then things just started to pick up.. Its been fun to watch his shoulders broaden, his game become more dominant, and his leaping ability take on an Olympic high jumper-like quality. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. WEBB CITY, Mo. He was good. To borrow some real estate phrasing its seems that the ultimate in "curb appeal" for a high school and its community is to have a high-profile head football coach that commands a top salary. Its home for me. 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. Jeff Ables. Theyve already landed two blue-chip recruits from Thompson in the 2022 class, and they have eyes on two more in 2023. No matter how bad the Vikings had been before his arrival. Jaiden soared, proving himself in the AAU ranks, as well as with his C.C. 11 in the 247Sports Composite and already stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. His softball teams made Final 4 appearances from 2003-05, and his powerlifting teams were 3 time State Champs. And it was Bethel who introduced him to the Vertimax, a machine designed to improve jumping ability. It went out and hired one of the best coaches in the state and dedicated resources to support the football team. But weve got an outstanding individual that loves our kids and loves our parents, loves our school system.. In the four years before Thompson and Bullock got to campus, the Vikings won a total of 33 games. Football Coaches. Youre going to be writing about him.. In his third season, the results started to show. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. As does Thompson now. Shes real aggressive sometimes, but I love her. 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. 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. Some believe its unreasonable to expect Harsin to contact every in-state school so quickly. When Ed Rigby coached junior college football in Mississippi, a colleague told him an essential truth about recruiting that has stuck with him through his three decades in the industry: In the years that you have players, you are everybodys best friend.