In 2009, Freeman accepted the head coaching position at Gulf Shores High School. His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. As does Thompson now. Its quarterback, Bennett Meredith, is committed to Northwestern. Try a week on us. 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? Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : The TV & Film Academy is also the home of THS TV, Thompson High School's student-run newscast. Ronald H. Thompson (born c. 1944) is a former American football coach. Jaiden Thompson (3) is introduced before a Central Cabarrus game. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Experience: 38 years Education: University of Texas Assignment: Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Wife: Teresa Children: Abby, Kate Phone: 512-414-0528 Email: jeff.ables@austinisd.org. 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. Hewitt-Trussville had set the bar high with its hiring of Josh Floyd earlier this summer. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. These days, Thompsons love for the game cant be questioned. var field59 = field59 || {}; Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. 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, AL thompsonwarriors.org Joined February 2016. 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 2023 class is even better, led by two five-stars: Cornerback Tony Mitchell (No. I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. Since then, Ive made it a point to keep up with Thompson. The top spot belonged to . 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.) It was after seeing what she knew wasnt his best self on the basketball court, that his grandma wondered about his priorities. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . Photographer Kenny Grimes has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final) containing 104 photos. 40 area players named: Full ASWA all-state teams list To end another memorable season of high school football in the area, 40 players in East Alabama were recognized when Alabama Sports. Saturdays game, a highly anticipated rematch of last seasons semifinals, will be played at McDowell High School in Marion at 3 p.m. You might even be able to hear Faulkner yelling words of support for her grandbaby, even in a gym packed with 3,700 other fans. Freeman will be well-compensated for his efforts. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. And Woods is a five-star 2023 defensive lineman who has programs all over the country begging for his services, too. Theyve already landed two blue-chip recruits from Thompson in the 2022 class, and they have eyes on two more in 2023. electronic communication and community service. Thats huge. . Coach Freemans football program has a trademark phrase. "This is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. School board meetings don't go quite like this in Alabaster. 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. Working with him before, it was a fortunate opportunity for us to have this chance to bring him on board.. And for that to actually happen? information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. Former star Marlon Humphrey was an All-American at Alabama and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. PORTSMOUTH Aquidneck Island native and Portsmouth resident Keith MacDonald vividly remembers how he got his first football coaching job. 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. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. Things started off good for him the summer before his freshman year at Central. Buildings are filling up. Assistant Football Coach at Thompson Valley High School Loveland, Colorado, United States. Job Summary. 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. The only problem was that a number of coaches at prominent football schools have not met him. Records reflect scores in our database. I was like, Yeah, I can really do this, if I put my mind to it, Thompson recalled. 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. To the benefit of high school football in the state, theyve stayed. But after realizing that I wanted it for myself, then things just started to pick up.. On the other hand, Vigor High School coach John McKenzie thinks Mobile is often overlooked by recruiters. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. I always said why is Thompson never getting over the hill?. Its allowed five points per game, and 24 of those came in the regular-season finale a loss to nearby power Hoover. The difference between the salaries at Hoover and Spain Park are based in education credits for each teacher within the teacher salary. The Warriors havent won as many as 10 games in a season since 1987. How tall was Tommy Thompson? And Faulkner, direct as they come, wanted answers. And it was Bethel who introduced him to the Vertimax, a machine designed to improve jumping ability. Freeman went 50-7 in four years with the Toros, leading them to state championships in 2012 and 2013. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. Funny how hard work works. Tommy Thompson has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. 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. On 12/9, the Thomson varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Fitzgerald (GA) by a score of 32-27. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. Two of those four, edge rusher Jeremiah Alexander and cornerback Trequon Fegans, are verbally committed to Alabama in the class of 2022. 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. (Jeff Sentell/jsentell@al.com). He is now at Westwood; former defensive coordinator Roderick Thompson has been named the interim head coach. 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. ", Before Wade Waldrop became Hoovers coach recently, he coached five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley at Florence. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 20-14 win @ Appling County on 12/2/2022 7:30 PM. The great thing is that Thompson has found peace in it all. That's the predominately Birmingham-based region in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's largest playing classification. The answer to that is Freeman. One region athletic director told AL.com earlier this year that he feared an "arms race" might be upon us. Its a sort of throwback team, considering how offense is so valued in the game of football today. 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. 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. He coached for 10 seasons at Bessemer Academy, winning AISA titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. 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.". So if you can do it at that level, you can do it at an SEC level.. 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. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. He has not met Harsin. Hes built similarly to former Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. Bowie High School Football Search. 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. Hey, it comes with the gig. Some believe its unreasonable to expect Harsin to contact every in-state school so quickly. That's what Freeman's glowing resume is expected to bring. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. records may be incomplete. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. Congratulations to Jontavis Curry, Noah Story, Marcellus Brigham and Jordan Jones for being selected the Thomson players of the game. He coached for almost 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. I grew up right down the road from Alabaster, Freeman 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. Alabama High School Football History Thompson Coaches Thompson Warriors The AHSFHS.org Fan Shop Some records may be incomplete. "Most of the kids growing up here, most of them aspire to play for Auburn; it's their hometown,"Etheredge said. 2022 Thompson Football Schedule; Football Information; Thompson Middle School 705 West Main Street St. Charles, IL 60174 . As of Wednesday, the plan is to play. She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. While Ganus went undrafted in 2016, he signed a free agent deal with the NFLs Minnesota Vikings in 2016. Now Thompson is dunking with ease in games and soaring above the crowd for rebounds. Eads appreciated Harsin asking for ideas and advice about organizing a coaching clinic. Whether or not thats a serious concern varies depending on the coach. 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. Hes spent this winter answering those questions unequivocally, but he wants to put an exclamation mark on it now. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. I knew he had a plane to get to, and I kept trying to hurry him out, Eads said. What more were we going to do at Spanish Fort? 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. Job Summary. 17 nationally, and his teammates are often wowed by his skills. 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. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had . Everytime you can affect people, its like an injection of energy. Theyre going to find guys who want to do all those things.. That followed time at Montevallo where he also served as the head baseball coach and athletic director for the Bulldogs. I know people. Official Twitter Page of Thompson High School Athletics. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". 27. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. An extended COVID-19 recruiting dead period ended June 1, 2021. 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). The others welcomed him because he could play and was a great teammate. One Division-I school, Western Carolina, had confirmed as much when it offered him a scholarship after his freshman season. 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. Always appreciate that when (coaches) don't just slip in the back door and see a kid and get out. Theyve probably done the best job as far as being seen; Hes been here multiple times, coach Marcus Gardner said. Its so rewarding what we deal with. Brandon Graves Elementary Teacher / Head Baseball & Asst Football Coach. 19) in over a decade. Posted - 02/28/2023 : 12:35:46 . Where I went to high school was very similar in terms of enrollment, in terms of size and size of the community and facilities. But by last fall, basketball was anything but that for Thompson. 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. 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. Wallace is expected to transfer. 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. There is no lack of challenge or ego in the region. WVUA 23 is a competitive professional commercial television But he acknowledges that the dynamics have changed since he was leading the Indians courting prospects. 1 and No. I think Auburn's going to be OK," Pouncey said. Thats what I actually LOVE about this team. He takes over for Kyle Sprenkle, who resigned in January after seven seasons to help his. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. That both teams are so talented and competitive makes Alabama high school football better. The outworkem all came. Success is here.". 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? Wendell stayed at public school, he stayed grounded, he stayed with Cox Mill for four years. The Warriors finished 12-1 in 2017, losing in the semifinals of the Class 7A State Football Playoffs. 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 hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. That season,. 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. Thompsons feelings certainly werent about a lack of love for the Vikings. Weve been talking about that for so long. "I think they can recruit with the best they've proved that in the past. Highland Home has been a revolving door of head coaches visiting Faulk, including Tennessees Josh Heupel. Freeman also served one year as an assistant at Minor for the 2008 season. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Todd Maulden/Special to the Independent Tribune, Friday Five: New barbecue restaurant, apartment dwellers and updates, HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: After leaving his mark at storied A.L. Theyve got a great group of young players coming back.. 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. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A. Katy ISD. 5 high school football team via SB Live, was to put its undefeated record on the line against another Birmingham-area program known for. In the last 20 years, Alabama averaged 4.05 top-100 recruits, 7.05 top-200 and 10.3 top-300. Ive just been working like crazy since then. The average coach in the region now makes $98,911 per year and the coaches now make a combined $791,288 in annual salary. station in the nations top 40 market where students and The Tigers did not add anybody to their 2022 class on National Signing Day earlier this month. Thompson dominated the Alabama high school football scene throughout 2020, posting a 13-0 record with an average margin of victory of 29 points per game. He knew it, not in a cocky way. 0. Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. McCaskey has found its football coach for the 2021 season, which is right around the corner. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. Calera High School is searching for a new head football coach after Trey Simpson, above, joined Thompson High School in an athletic administration role. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). WEBB CITY, Mo. Contact Us. 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. I really dont. Hes a five-star rated prospect and the No. 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. Reed made such a positiveimpact that the Auburn alum was promoted this week to director of recruiting relations, adding to Harsin's arsenal. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. She said, What are you going to do about it?. 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. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Youre going to be writing about him.. We now have834teams & 188,070games on AHSFHS.org. He has his second chance, but his recruiting remains an urgent issue. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. Griffin Middle School squad. "I grew up right down the road from Alabaster," Freeman said. 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. Experience: 16 years Education: Texas A&M Following almost every activity whether its a win, a loss, or a practice you see Thompsons signature Outworkem All expression on social media. Auburns staffparticularly Etheridge and director of high school relations Brendt Bedsole, a former high school coachhas impressed high school coaches. Those who have met Harsin and spent time with him were left with a positive impression of an honest, down-to-business recruiter. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. Niblett has led Hoover to three straight state titles in the AHSAA's largest classification. Hoover once had an infamous television show, Two-A-Days, document its football program and has won 13 state championships. 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. Freeman, an Alabama graduate, attended Bessemer Academy and has maintained a home in the McCalla area. 4) are both top-25 prospects in the country. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 56-38 win @ South Atlanta on 11/25/2022 6:00 PM. Im trying to set them up for interceptions and PBUs.. But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. But he knew it. 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. 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. 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. us to complete every school. That was probably where it was a little frustrating for him that he wasnt able to get it there as quickly as he wanted.. "dfpConfig": { I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue . And save for his first year with Concord Parks and Rec, when he scored a basket in the opposing teams hoop, he was good, too. How well Harsin capitalizes on it can decide his future with the Tigers. The Warriors went 5-5 in each of his first two seasons in 2015 and 2016. The two lowest-paid coaches on this salary scale both led their teams to the playoffs in 2014. But in middle school is also when Thompsons love for the game took its first arrow. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." Football. 11 in the 247Sports Composite and already stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. 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.

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