I played a lot, but there were politics and a lot of cliques going around the program, so it kind of broke my spirit a little bit. electronic communication and community service. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He stepped down at Bessemer Academy following the 2007 football season and served as the quarterbacks coach at Minor in 2008. This is a year when Rigby does have players most notably four-star defensive lineman Yhonzae Pierre and three-star offensive lineman Patrick Screws. 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. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 20-14 win @ Appling County on 12/2/2022 7:30 PM. The 27 . Hey, what are your thoughts on this player? Whatever that it is and wherever it takes him. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting Mark Freeman is the new head football coach at Thompson High School. Valid CPR and First Aid, TB Test, Fingerprint Process, NFHS online coaching certificates; Heat Illness Prevention. But its worked out really great.. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A. That's what Freeman's glowing resume is expected to bring. 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. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. 0. In Freemans first two seasons, Thompson finished with a 5-5 record. Thompson graduated in 1962 from Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas and went on to play at Louisiana College. The Tigers' first 2023 commit is also from Auburn High: four-star offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner. They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. One Division-I school, Western Carolina, had confirmed as much when it offered him a scholarship after his freshman season. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. The only time Johnson had met Harsin was during a FaceTime with Etheridge, during which the assistant coach briefly put Harsin on the phone. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. 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. CIF Fundamentals of Coaching (Information provided by district). Coaches are paid a stipend at the end of the season for their work. Thompson figured his freshman season was a success, but he knew he could be better. I think thats just kind of the bridge or the gray area theyre going to have to face here soon: Youre not Bama, and youre not Georgia. Jaiden Thompson (3) busts a move to get to the basket. But in middle school is also when Thompsons love for the game took its first arrow. 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. C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus Thompson fulfilling his promise in more ways than one. The answer to that is Freeman. Its so rewarding what we deal with. PORTSMOUTH Aquidneck Island native and Portsmouth resident Keith MacDonald vividly remembers how he got his first football coaching job. 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. Success is here.". Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. Alabama has more in its backyard than other traditionally talent-rich SEC states, including Louisiana and Georgia. No passion missing; it burns like hot fish grease in Thompson, and his coach loves the way he is. WVUA 23 is a competitive professional commercial television Freeman will be well-compensated for his efforts. 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. The only problem was that a number of coaches at prominent football schools have not met him. "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. 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. The Warriors are the pride of the community, and why wouldnt they be? Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. In the last 20 years, Alabama averaged 4.05 top-100 recruits, 7.05 top-200 and 10.3 top-300. 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. But when the opportunity opened at Thompson for an athletic administrator and a special education teacher, Hester and Simpson both knew it was the right fit. Jaiden Thompson looks to make a pass during his freshman season. Thomson 56. You dont work out anymore.. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. Top Coach. Suddenly, the window rolled down and a man called out, Horton! It's the second time during the three-peat that Thompson has defeated the Red Devils (13-1) in the championship game. 3) is the one you need to watch! There are now five. In the 2022 class, the state's No. 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. The TV & Film Academy is also the home of THS TV, Thompson High School's student-run newscast. That followed time at Montevallo where he also served as the head baseball coach and athletic director for the Bulldogs. The Alabaster City Schools website includes a tagline in cursive script that reads "Champions of our Future" on every page. Despite its relatively new facilities a new high school opened in 2018 at 360,000 square feet at a cost of $88 million one wouldnt describe Alabaster as fancy. The run included a 31-game win streak, eventually snapped by Daphne late in the 2014 season. 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. On 12/2, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against Appling County (Baxley, GA) by a score of 20-14. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. New Orleans (La.) I think that you trust your evaluation, and you don't put too much emphasis on the stars. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Website. 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). 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. Coaches liked that Harsin didn't hold back in that regard. Mar 2, 2023 Updated 27 min ago. Hoover has faced it plenty over the years. 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. 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. Sure, its great. And for that to actually happen? Job Summary. I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. It marks the second time in the last three seasons that the Eagles will be looking for a new head coach in the month of June as Simpson took over the job from Zow in June 2019. Thompson has won back-to-back state championships in the states highest classification and is a prime contender for another this season. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. }; Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. What happened to your work ethic? Thompson recalled her asking. Tommy Thompson has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. You trust your evaluation of kids. Volunteer Help the coach manage this team. The biggest thing was: Was my wife going to move? The others welcomed him because he could play and was a great teammate. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . Knowledge of sport. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Thatd be like a tear-jerker moment. He will make a yearly stipend of $4,988. High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. Search. 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. 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. The Advertiser spoke to 14 Alabama high school coaches about how Auburn has recruited their programs. records may be incomplete. Watch this highlight video of the Thomson (GA) football team in its game Recap: Thomson vs. Westside 2022 on Nov 3, 2022. "He asked me if I wanted to get . Buildings are filling up. The season before he arrived, the Warriors finished with an 0-10 record, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. 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. ", Before Wade Waldrop became Hoovers coach recently, he coached five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley at Florence. Ganus played high school ball at Chelsea and played linebacker at UAB prior to the closure of the Blazers football program in 2014. That would probably be one of my biggest accomplishments no matter if its winning a state championship or scoring 1,000 points. The Tigers did not add anybody to their 2022 class on National Signing Day earlier this month. 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? 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. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media Central Cabarrus coach Jim Baker struggles to find a fault in the 6-foot-1 Thompsons game, but if he had to nick-pick, its that hed like the low-key guard to be more vocal on the floor. Photographer Kenny Grimes has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final) containing 104 photos. 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. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. Hes spent this winter answering those questions unequivocally, but he wants to put an exclamation mark on it now. He and AU defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge are close friends. Job Summary. Weve been talking about that for so long. station in the nations top 40 market where students and Near Birmingham, Gardendales Kelby Collins is No. 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. I cant wait to see him play next year. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. Shade thought Harsin did a good job communicating through his assistants, especially Etheridge. That both teams are so talented and competitive makes Alabama high school football better. They do so with a collection of talent on defense that stirs the imagination. University of Northern Colorado . 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. Faulkners first grandbaby, Thompson was, in many ways, HER heartbeat. Main Number 331-228-3100 . But everybody is just on hold with a lot of these very good high school players. The difference between the salaries at Hoover and Spain Park are based in education credits for each teacher within the teacher salary. Thats huge. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. } } He will get an extension to his contract of $13,068.60 as a 12-month employee. For us to win a state championship at Central Cabarrus, that would mean everything to me and the guys, Thompson added. "dfpConfig": { 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. 56-38 (W) Thomson @ South Atlanta. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. Freeman was also the coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons. 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. 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. When I was principal at Montevallo, I appointed him as athletic director there because of his potential.. Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : 1 and No. 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. Football. 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.. 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? 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.. Rigby hasn't met Harsin. In the 2022 class, the state's No. 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. 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. In 2023, the state has 11 of the top 100. Wallace was hired in 2018, and went 11-28 overall. 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. 5 high school football team via SB Live, was to put its undefeated record on the line against another Birmingham-area program known for. Well, its not good for the program at Tuscaloosa County. He knew it, not in a cocky way. When the recruiting contact period started last fall, Harsin was the first college coach to bring his full recruiting staff to the school. And Updates from all around. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. It was 1987 when he took the reins of the Thompson Middle School team in Newport. Harsins first signing class was Auburns lowest-ranked (No. 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 also means neither of those quality coaches have yet to win a playoff game in the state's largest classification yet. Those totals did not include any monies received from head football coaches for their football camps. I would see everybody get these offers, and sometimes people base their lives on one game. Salary: Tony Gaines Show More Show Less 5 of 93. 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. There arent many words for that, Thompson says. This was what hed wanted for most of his basketball life: to don that Green and Gold. Eason is at Clemson now. 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). She said, What are you going to do about it?. us to complete every school. When I heard that, I said, Yeah, Ive got to do something about this, he said. Tommy Thompson weighed 192 lbs (87 kg) when playing. Niblett has led Hoover to three straight state titles in the AHSAA's largest classification. 27. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. Later, the same call was made on Bullock. These days, Thompsons love for the game cant be questioned. We weren't able to find anything that matched your search criteria. If were being honest, its going to be hard to get multiple kids against Georgia or Alabama, Johnson said. He took his time, did his research, seemed to flirt with Clemson and ended up back at the beginning this summer, committing to Alabama again on July 8. Experience: 16 years Education: Texas A&M I think the wrestling and how I use my hands contributed to the player I am today.. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. 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. Hoover City Schools pays its football coaches the same $47,741 stipend. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. 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. "I grew up right down the road from Alabaster," Freeman said. "I think every team wants to win. 1 player in the state in the 247Sports Composite. Career. A lot of people thought Oh you just got a great coach. I grew up right down the road from Alabaster, Freeman said. Ben Thompson, an assistant on Sam London's staff the last two seasons, will be the Red Tornado's . Its kind of like a letdown, you know, because everybody has all these big expectations. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school. Everytime you can affect people, its like an injection of energy. Auburns staffparticularly Etheridge and director of high school relations Brendt Bedsole, a former high school coachhas impressed high school coaches. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Auburn High School coach Keith Etheredge heard Harsin say it: You may not have all those stars, but Ive seen you play. Thompson went 0-10 last year and 7-23 in three years under Mike Montgomery. Between 2001 and 2007 his teams went 40-1 in region play and 17-3 in the playoffs. If you told me, You cant do this. Then Im going to go in and do my best, Freeman said. Katy ISD. . He will receive a salary package as a teacher, football coach and system athletics director that will pay him $121,000 annually. Freeman is a large part of the answer to his own question. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. 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. I can do this my way and actually go to a good college like Wendell did. Jay Gogue announced Feb. 11 that Harsin will remain the coach, 'The first one changes you': Coaches recall their debuts in the Iron Bowl, a game that determines longevity, I tried to score over college basketball's greatest shot blocker, Walker Kessler | Durando. Ryan Thorburn. It was late January, and Harsin and receivers coach Eric Kiesau were visiting Mars Hill Bible School in Florence. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. High school coaches who have been visited by Harsin in the last year have appreciated his honesty and his straightforward approach. You have permission to edit this article. They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. The most accomplished high school football coach in Southeast Texas is calling it a career. Alexander is locked in with the Crimson Tide for the second time. Youre going to be writing about him.. professionals work together to achieve the highest standards in Hey, it comes with the gig. What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. Tommy Thompson was 6-1 (185 cm) tall. The top spot belonged to . Congratulations to Jahkiaus Jones, Jaquan Hart, Jordan Jones and Jontavis Curry for being selected the Thomson players of the game. Email Brandon Graves. His bloodlines are pretty good too, with his older brother Antwon at Arkansas State and his younger brother Anquon, a class of 2025 recruit, already holding offers from Florida, Georgia and Miami, among others. Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football schedule released. I think Auburn's going to be OK," Pouncey said. Baker said a player of Thompsons level likely wouldve already been scooped up in the past. 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. 2022 Thompson Football Schedule; Football Information; Thompson Middle School 705 West Main Street St. Charles, IL 60174 . At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Woods brings quickness and power to the position that Alabama could definitely use. His Rebels were also runner-up in 2001 and 2005. After National Signing Day, Harsin hadnot visited Montgomery Catholic, which is 50 minutes from Auburn. That didnt take away that occasional feeling that comes with a lost love, though, or one you feel is slipping away. Forced to reckon with established powers, what has Harsin done to make recruiting inroads in his first 14 months? Try a week on us. Lakeshore announces Danny Thompson as the school's new head football coach He was the offensive coordinator at Middleville High School since 2018. Well, thats going to be some moment. How tall was Tommy Thompson? 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.. Eads appreciated Harsin asking for ideas and advice about organizing a coaching clinic. But weve got an outstanding individual that loves our kids and loves our parents, loves our school system.. In another, it makes perfect sense. I look forward to things to come. The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. 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. I got outta there as fast as my Nissan with the lawn mower engine could go.
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