Then theres Mitchell, a five-star 2023 recruit whos No. That potential was something he took with him to Calera as a baseball coach, athletic director and football coach. Wallace is expected to transfer. Since then, Ive made it a point to keep up with Thompson. 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. And you sort of follow it, the top 70, 80, 90 kids end up going D-II and whatnot. "Rogers (High) AD Ricky Hole was close friends with my dad," MacDonald said. 6 recruits in the states 2023 class attend Carver: defensive lineman James Smith and edge Jaquavious Russaw. Please try a new search. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. 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. 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. Hes spent this winter answering those questions unequivocally, but he wants to put an exclamation mark on it now. The more kids that get on campus, you're going to see him put his stamp on the type of kids he wants to recruit.". 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. Hoover City Schools pays its football coaches the same $47,741 stipend. 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. us to complete every school. It was late January, and Harsin and receivers coach Eric Kiesau were visiting Mars Hill Bible School in Florence. var field59 = field59 || {}; Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. This was what hed wanted for most of his basketball life: to don that Green and Gold. Now, theyre recruiting the freakish athlete. Harsin's son plays for Auburn High. He stepped down at Bessemer Academy following the 2007 football season and served as the quarterbacks coach at Minor in 2008. A lot of people thought Oh you just got a great coach. OK, I was a lot alarmed. In 2011, he became the head football coach at Spanish Fort High School. 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. Katy ISD. When Harsin visited Mars Hill, he was targeting three-star offensive lineman Koby Keenum, who playsa position of priority for Auburns 2023 class. Freeman's decision . Taylor High School. Between 2001 and 2007 his teams went 40-1 in region play and 17-3 in the playoffs. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". Email Rylan Gerber. I can do this my way and actually go to a good college like Wendell did. He has not met Harsin. Shes real aggressive sometimes, but I love her. Always appreciate that when (coaches) don't just slip in the back door and see a kid and get out. Jaiden Thompson takes flight last week against Shelby Crest. And Woods is a five-star 2023 defensive lineman who has programs all over the country begging for his services, too. Alabaster City Schools is planning a new high school that should be open in less than three years. The Warriors havent won as many as 10 games in a season since 1987. How do you go from that 6-4 year and what ways can I get our kids over that hump. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. 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. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. Career. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. "I think every team wants to win. These days, Thompsons love for the game cant be questioned. 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. Its a sort of throwback team, considering how offense is so valued in the game of football today. 5 in the state and No. Sure, its great. That both teams are so talented and competitive makes Alabama high school football better. That followed time at Montevallo where he also served as the head baseball coach and athletic director for the Bulldogs. 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. Central Cabarrus coach Jim Baker poses for a photo with his four seniors: Gavin Bullock (30) Micah Murray (33) Adriel Miller (14) Elijah Ford (22) and Jaiden Thompson (3). In 2023, the state has 11 of the top 100. It would turn out to be the most heavily-attended board meeting for a school system that's still just in its toddler years. Job Summary. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. You can cancel at any time. I look forward to things to come. Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. Jesuit High School football is off to a good start this fall, with three wins in three games. The quintet started. Also, for the past three seasons, Thompson has been the Vikings leading scorer, with each campaign ending with the SPC titles. Thompson paused, realizing that that day had been his moment of clarity. 19) in over a decade. Photographer Kenny Grimes has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final) containing 104 photos. In the 2022 class, the state's No. Following almost every activity whether its a win, a loss, or a practice you see Thompsons signature Outworkem All expression on social media. CIF Fundamentals of Coaching (Information provided by district). On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. Its quarterback, Bennett Meredith, is committed to Northwestern. Suddenly, the window rolled down and a man called out, Horton! He backed off that pledge seven months later and decommitted. Steven Hoffmann High School Teacher / Asst Football & Powerlifting Coach. "global": { She was just sad and disappointed to watch me like that. Some Longtime Thompson coach Mark Freeman said that he has never met Harsinwhen asked after National Signing Day. 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 will get an extension to his contract of $13,068.60 as a 12-month employee. Theres no tearing stuff down. Thompson figured his freshman season was a success, but he knew he could be better. . Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. Fegans is among Alabamas latest commitments, going public last month after decommitting from Miami. He spent a lot of time here talking, and he didn't have to do that. Jaiden Thompson averaged nearly 20 points per game thisseason. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had . He will make a yearly stipend of $4,988. It was 1987 when he took the reins of the Thompson Middle School team in Newport. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. The Toros defeated McAdory to claim their second state championship in three years with a 14-1 record. Lakeshore announces Danny Thompson as the school's new head football coach He was the offensive coordinator at Middleville High School since 2018. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. Hey, what are your thoughts on this player? In the past, Auburn has found some of its best talent in Mobile, including Williamson High School cornerback Roger McCreary, a three-star prospect who developed into a first-team All-American. I believe all the state schools beside (Alabama) and Tuskegee University can do a better job with in-state recruiting. But by last fall, basketball was anything but that for Thompson. 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. After 90 minutes of talking football, Darrell Higgins couldnt believe Harsin was still in his office. 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. I can work as good as anybody, Freeman said. That's how much Friday's board meeting to approve Mark Freeman as the next football coach had already spiked interest in the Alabaster community. Quite frankly, thats the way the locals like it. School board meetings don't go quite like this in Alabaster. Theyll offer that kid early. Im trying to set them up for interceptions and PBUs.. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. 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. Shade thought Harsin did a good job communicating through his assistants, especially Etheridge. I wrestled, I played baseball. Actually, me and Gavin have been talking about this since we were little boys. For 2023, the only states with more top-100 recruits are Florida and Texas. I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. One of Harsin's strategies in that regard has been emphasis onlocal recruiting. Thompson was beside himself. What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue Devils in a private team meeting at 11:30 a.m. I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. He coached for almost 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. The Alabaster City Schools website includes a tagline in cursive script that reads "Champions of our Future" on every page. The top spot belonged to . 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. A number of coaches were baffled that they haven't interacted with Auburn's head coach. And thats OK. Be your own program and stop missing out on really good Alabama kids because Alabama didn't offer them.. So if you can do it at that level, you can do it at an SEC level.. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. Sep 17 2015. That was his happy place, his own piece of utopia. Thompson played one year of college soccer at Indiana University where he scored five goals and one assist in 12 matches and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2013, before signing a Homegrown Player contract with San Jose Earthquakes on March 14, 2014.. Thompson made his professional debut on June 7, 2014 as an 89th-minute substitute in a 0-1 loss to Toronto FC. Being able to keep that promise for my grandma? He said he had only been given a range in the hiring and interview process. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He has heard similarly from other Birmingham coaches. 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. Alabama High School Football History Thompson Coaches Thompson Warriors The AHSFHS.org Fan Shop Some records may be incomplete. Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. Records reflect scores in our database. 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. He also served as the Athletic Director at Bessemer Academy. His teams were also state championship runner-ups in 2001 and 2005. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. 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. Its so rewarding what we deal with. The run included a 31-game win streak, eventually snapped by Daphne late in the 2014 season. 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. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery. Alabaster City Schools approved Freeman as the new head football coach at Thompson on Friday. Things started off good for him the summer before his freshman year at Central. Later, the same call was made on Bullock. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest turnaround. So, again, the question must be answered: How did a team that went 0-10 before Freemans arrival and hadnt had a winning season since 2006 turn into a showcase national program? Thompsons mom had put a ball in his hands when he was about 4 years old, and he hadnt let it go since. The Crimson Tide, who have the 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). Alabama has more in its backyard than other traditionally talent-rich SEC states, including Louisiana and Georgia. 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. Email Brandon Graves. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. Freeman won four state titles during the last decade at Spanish Fort in 2011 and 2013. Jaiden Thompson (3) shoots the J with a hand in his face. It pisses us off, Alexander said. San Rafael football is in search of a Junior Varsity Head Coach, Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator, Junior Varsity Defensive Coordinator, and Varsity Linebackers coach. He takes over for Kyle Sprenkle, who resigned in January after seven seasons to help his. Eason was also frequently praised for his recruiting. 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. OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) - Erik Thompson was born to be a football coach. She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. He knew it, not in a cocky way. And she could see right through him. The 27 . Simpson will be heavily involved in helping with operations and administration of several different sports, which Hester said will be a huge help. station in the nations top 40 market where students and #alpreps https://t.co/F9GZmsQwGo, "Every team when that game kicks off they want to win," Freeman said. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. Watch this highlight video of the Thompson (Alabaster, AL) football team in its game Lipscomb Academy on Aug 27, 2022 All Contest Videos Box Score Jan 31, 2023 @ 5:51pm 5-star DB Anquon Fegans | 2022 Highlights Sophomore season highlights of Thompson's (Alabaster, AL) 5-star safety Anquon Fegans. The Tigers' first 2023 commit is also from Auburn High: four-star offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner. 4) are both top-25 prospects in the country. 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.) He was good. Moore heard those private-school whispers, too. Central Cabarrus coach Jim Baker poses for a photo with his four seniors: Gavin Bullock (30) Micah Murray (33) Adriel Miller (14) Elijah Ford (22) and Jaiden Thompson (3). Its very much a blue-collar, working-class community. Official Twitter Page of Thompson High School Athletics. 1 and No. Jaiden Thompson (3) leaving it all on the court. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. 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. (Jeff Sentell/jsentell@al.com). Shelby County Schools is currently looking to fill the head coaching position at Calera High School. Knowledge of sport. Former star Marlon Humphrey was an All-American at Alabama and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. Government & Public Administration: Air Force JROTC. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Tommy Thompson weighed 192 lbs (87 kg) when playing. Its a hotly contested game that draws huge crowds, benefitting both programs. "It's not a hard place to recruit to. Wherever the quarterback is, you know Peter is going to be there.. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. 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? The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. 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. Hoover once had an infamous television show, Two-A-Days, document its football program and has won 13 state championships. Shade, a former Alabama player, enjoyed his conversations with Harsin and thought Harsin was a good Auburn ambassador. An extended COVID-19 recruiting dead period ended June 1, 2021. Area school systems were able to provide requested financial data for each head football coach. If you told me, You cant do this. Then Im going to go in and do my best, Freeman said.