THS Athletics. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. ALABASTER, Ala. In one sense, this is hardly the kind of town that comes to mind when you think of nationally relevant high school football programs. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. Football Coaches. Thompson figured his freshman season was a success, but he knew he could be better. Were like a family. 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. He knows theyll be there after that, too, no matter where he is in life. He helped the Vikings win 30 games for the second year in a row. 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. So if you can do it at that level, you can do it at an SEC level.. 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. 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.. The last time I checked, back when I was at Catawba, we had 33 schools in North Carolina that were offering D-I and D-II scholarships. In the last 20 years, Alabama averaged 4.05 top-100 recruits, 7.05 top-200 and 10.3 top-300. Thompson went 0-10 last year and 7-23 in three years under Mike Montgomery. These coaches have done a great job of laying that foundation. His 2013 team finished 15-0 and won another Class 5A state championship with a win over Muscle Shoals in the title game. Our offense will be spread, tempo. 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. High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . Coaches are paid a stipend at the end of the season for their work. 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. 2 class in 2022, are reaping the benefit of another nationally relevant football program in their backyard. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. 19) in over a decade. 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. Ganus played high school ball at Chelsea and played linebacker at UAB prior to the closure of the Blazers football program in 2014. 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. A number of coaches were baffled that they haven't interacted with Auburn's head coach. The top spot belonged to . Hoover once had an infamous television show, Two-A-Days, document its football program and has won 13 state championships. A new barbecue restaurant in Kannapolis is taking shape. Working with him before, it was a fortunate opportunity for us to have this chance to bring him on board.. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. And she could see right through him. I have a great team, a great family, and we could actually win this whole thing.. "Its a blessed day," Freeman said. Theyve probably done the best job as far as being seen; Hes been here multiple times, coach Marcus Gardner said. Football Coach jobs Tennis Coach jobs Camp Director jobs Head Football Coach jobs . A four-star recruit, hes ranked No. 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. Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : How well Harsin capitalizes on it can decide his future with the Tigers. Tournament Game. That means his teams have played for a title in eight of the 16 seasons he's been a head coach. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 56-38 win @ South Atlanta on 11/25/2022 6:00 PM. And, yes, I went on to write about him. It was after seeing what she knew wasnt his best self on the basketball court, that his grandma wondered about his priorities. 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. 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. No, we got a great person, Vickers said. 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. Ben Thompson, an assistant on Sam London's staff the last two seasons, will be the Red Tornado's . He coached for 10 seasons at Bessemer Academy, winning AISA titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. The answer to that is Freeman. 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. Higgins was struck by a new coach trying to learn and improve while maintaining his recruiting principles. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 20-14 win @ Appling County on 12/2/2022 7:30 PM. Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. Jaiden Thompson (3) shoots the J with a hand in his face. But these next two weekends have special meaning. His father, Fred, is a legendary figure in Utah high school athletics, having coached at Roy High School for 19 years, followed by a six-year stint at Fremont. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. Coach: Todd Thompson. Wallace was hired in 2018, and went 11-28 overall. Visit our website for info. Both coaches compete in Class 7A, Region 3. I look forward to things to come. He felt he was on his way. Im not a fan of anybody, but I just respected him coming in and talking about getting the culture right, Gardner said. Success is here.". But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. 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. 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. I believe all the state schools beside (Alabama) and Tuskegee University can do a better job with in-state recruiting. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. 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. (Hurley recently committed to Alabama.). 5 in the state and No. Its home for me. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A. 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. Freeman won four state titles during the last decade at Spanish Fort in 2011 and 2013. 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. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. How many games did Tommy Thompson play? Some names on that C.C. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. That followed time at Montevallo where he also served as the head baseball coach and athletic director for the Bulldogs. Volunteer Help the coach manage this team. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery. To the benefit of high school football in the state, theyve stayed. Brown, Newsome announces retirement as coach, C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: A Vikings program thats been great the past 2 years looks ready to take next step, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, A Pig Deal: Cannon Ballers changing the name, Cabarrus Sheriffs Office makes major drug bust with cocaine, fentanyl, cash seized, Bojangles offering fish sandwich during Lent, Concord man sentenced to 10 years for fentanyl and firearm offenses, Elizabeth Holmes gives birth to second child while seeking to further delay imprisonment, BOYS BASKETBALL: Ball doesnt bounce Concord Academys way in NCISAA 3A finals defeat to Greensboro Day, WeBuild buys historic Concord church for affordable housing, mixed use, Friday Five: New brewery, downtown streetscape and Barber-Scotia update. He backed off that pledge seven months later and decommitted. He also served as the Athletic Director at Bessemer Academy. Everytime you can affect people, its like an adrenaline shot.. And if when that actually comes to fruition? The quintet started. 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). 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. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. Coach Freeman led the Rebels to four State Championships in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Ty Branyon. Since then, Ive made it a point to keep up with Thompson. One part of the team that will be missing is a starting quarterback, as A.J. 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. You cant describe him, Alexander said. It also means neither of those quality coaches have yet to win a playoff game in the state's largest classification yet. He was later released and eventually joined the Thompson coaching staff, coaching linebackers. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. He coached for almost 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. He will also serve a dual role as the system athletic director for Alabaster City Schools. I dont know if Ive ever raised my voice at Jaiden, Baker said. In the 2022 class, the state's No. 1 player in the state in the 247Sports Composite. Its very much a work-hard-for-what-you-get community. Several high school coachessaid college coaches often don't do a sufficient job preparing players for the grind during recruitment, which leads to athletes being blindsided and more likely to leave. The season before he arrived, the Warriors finished with an 0-10 record, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. 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. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. PORTSMOUTH Aquidneck Island native and Portsmouth resident Keith MacDonald vividly remembers how he got his first football coaching job. And while some schools showed interest in him taking his talents there, the recruiting slowed down, no matter how much he was thrashing his competition on a team that was one of the best around. To me it made a lot of sense. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. 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. 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. Assistant Football Coach at Thompson Valley High School Loveland, Colorado, United States. 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. 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. All those clichs about the best player on the team being the hardest worker on the team, yada, yada, yada? Both are top-40 nationally. On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. Jaiden Thompson (3) busts a move to get to the basket. 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. Wherever the quarterback is, you know Peter is going to be there.. Simpson will be heavily involved in helping with operations and administration of several different sports, which Hester said will be a huge help. We now have834teams & 188,070games on AHSFHS.org. Coach Freemans football program has a trademark phrase. "global": { 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.. San Rafael football is in search of a Junior Varsity Head Coach, Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator, Junior Varsity Defensive Coordinator, and Varsity Linebackers coach. professionals work together to achieve the highest standards in She was just sad and disappointed to watch me like that. And the results speak for itself: over the past five seasons, the Warriors are 62-6. That tough style of play, a hard-nosed defensive mindset, has an aligning charm with the city of Alabaster. He knew it, not in a cocky way. They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. Out of all of the public high school football coaches, Joseph is the highest-paid. He has his second chance, but his recruiting remains an urgent issue. Hes ranked No. 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. He has not met Harsin. Steven Hoffmann High School Teacher / Asst Football & Powerlifting Coach. The fact that neither Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson are among the three highest-paid coaches in their own region is surprising. When Harsin visited Mars Hill, he was targeting three-star offensive lineman Koby Keenum, who playsa position of priority for Auburns 2023 class. And thats OK. Be your own program and stop missing out on really good Alabama kids because Alabama didn't offer them.. Anderson set the state's all-time record for career victories earlier this season. Shortly after that meeting ended, the new coach spoke about the challenges and opportunity of taking over at Moody. Thatd be like a tear-jerker moment. He was Alabamas first verbal commitment in the 2022 class when he made his decision in March 2020. Photographer Cecil Copeland has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship) containing 176 photos. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. After that, everything just clicked. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . Buildings are filling up. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. Jaidens a very talented player, Baker said. "I want everyone else to know we are going to be a major player in everything we do for our children," Vickers said. Its a hotly contested game that draws huge crowds, benefitting both programs. Auburns top signee in the 2022 class was Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard, a flipped commitment from Alabama. That now makes him the highest-paid coach in Alabama high school football. That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers said Freeman's first day on the job will be Jan. 5, 2015. Position: Coach - JV Football - Davis Senior High School, July-November 2023, $3,366.00/season. I thought he and coach Pitts would form a really good team and relationship to help us grow Thompson athletics, Hester said. Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. Is Tommy Thompson in the Hall of Fame? I was always that guy growing up that you could negative motivate me. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football. Last years team started 3-2 and finished 3-7, but lost four games by eight points or less to talented playoff teams. Thats what I actually LOVE about this team. 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. Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Griffin MiddleSchool team in seventh and eighth grade. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. When I heard that, I said, Yeah, Ive got to do something about this, he said. Volunteer Roster last updated on Feb 16, 2023 @ 5:45pm (GMT) Print Roster Correction All-Time Roster Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. 3,620 Followers. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. 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.. Also, for the past three seasons, Thompson has been the Vikings leading scorer, with each campaign ending with the SPC titles. Eads and former Pinson Valley coach Sam Shade (now at Miles College) were among the high school coaches who met Harsin at a seven-on-seven camp in summer 2021. All rights reserved. Theyve got a great group of young players coming back.. That winter also is when I personally started to make my first close observations of Thompsons abilities. Hewitt-Trussville had set the bar high with its hiring of Josh Floyd earlier this summer. Win the battle in my backyard at all costs. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." Jaiden Thompson (3) leaving it all on the court. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue Devils in a private team meeting at 11:30 a.m. His Rebels were also runner-up in 2001 and 2005. 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. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those who have taken notice. I always said why is Thompson never getting over the hill?. After graduation, he coached at various high schools. Sure, its great. During the 90-minute office conversation with Higgins, Harsin discussed how hes trying to learn more about Southern culture and the kids here. Fegans laughs with a nod at that description. Wallace is expected to transfer. BP Brandon Petersen Team 8-2 - Social Studies. He is now at Westwood; former defensive coordinator Roderick Thompson has been named the interim head coach. Higgins was impressed. 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. The Crimson Tide, who have the No. The Class 7A team hasnt been to the playoffs since going 8-4 in 2006. 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. resigned from his position after four very successful years, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. 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. He had a two-year stint at Gulf Shores before Spanish Fort lured him away. Knowledge of sport. The Warriors havent won as many as 10 games in a season since 1987. Those who have met Harsin and spent time with him were left with a positive impression of an honest, down-to-business recruiter. That was his happy place, his own piece of utopia. That's the predominately Birmingham-based region in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's largest playing classification. McCaskey has found its football coach for the 2021 season, which is right around the corner. Part of it, Thompson admits, was residue from the game of college recruiting. This is a year when Rigby does have players most notably four-star defensive lineman Yhonzae Pierre and three-star offensive lineman Patrick Screws. Near Birmingham, Gardendales Kelby Collins is No. In his third season, the results started to show. Another pair of seniors, linebacker Jax Van Zandt and safety Trevor Hardy, are committed to North Texas and Memphis, respectively. At Eufaula, Rigby says Alabama assistant Charles Kelly is good at staying in touch. } } Jeff Ables. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Following almost every activity whether its a win, a loss, or a practice you see Thompsons signature Outworkem All expression on social media. Things have been up and down, kind of like a roller coaster. University of Northern Colorado . 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. 1 and No. That type of concentrated talent may be just another season at a program like IMG Academy, but its not common at a public school like Thompson, which produced a total of one four- or five-star recruit in the past decade current Alabama offensive lineman Amari Kight, a four-star recruit in 2019. It was late January, and Harsin and receivers coach Eric Kiesau were visiting Mars Hill Bible School in Florence. How do you go from that 6-4 year and what ways can I get our kids over that hump.
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