Tournament Game. He has heard similarly from other Birmingham coaches. Shade, a former Alabama player, enjoyed his conversations with Harsin and thought Harsin was a good Auburn ambassador. Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football schedule released. I grew up right down the road from Alabaster, Freeman said. Staff - Leopard Athletics - Lorena Independent School District After 90 minutes of talking football, Darrell Higgins couldnt believe Harsin was still in his office. Job Summary. Jaiden soared, proving himself in the AAU ranks, as well as with his C.C. 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. Or, shoot, even making it to the NBA. Theyve probably done the best job as far as being seen; Hes been here multiple times, coach Marcus Gardner said. Theyve got a great group of young players coming back.. On the other hand, Vigor High School coach John McKenzie thinks Mobile is often overlooked by recruiters. His teacher contract will be $46,113 annually. 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. But it wasnt an, Absolutely, yeah, Ill do it. But then I started thinking about it. You couldnt really see it, unless you had Phyllis Anns keen eyes. Main Number 331-228-3100 . Football Coaches. I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. Success is here.". The two lowest-paid coaches on this salary scale both led their teams to the playoffs in 2014. 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. His seven year record in baseball was 116-70, with two Final 4 appearances. Baker said a player of Thompsons level likely wouldve already been scooped up in the past. Simpson will be heavily involved in helping with operations and administration of several different sports, which Hester said will be a huge help. One part of the team that will be missing is a starting quarterback, as A.J. 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. Everytime you can affect people, its like an injection of energy. Position: Coach - JV Football - Davis Senior High School, July-November 2023, $3,366.00/season. 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. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. Auburn president Jay Gogue announced Feb. 11 that Harsin will remain the coach in 2022. Now, reaching the 30-win plateau -- in ONE season is the standard. Moore heard those private-school whispers, too. 1 recruit in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. 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. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A, Photos: Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final), Photos: Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship). 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? Roderick Thompson incorporates life lessons with Anderson football Contact Us. They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. He may make a turnover or take a bad shot or something like that, but with him, you dont have to coach effort.. 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. ", Before Wade Waldrop became Hoovers coach recently, he coached five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley at Florence. "Rogers (High) AD Ricky Hole was close friends with my dad," MacDonald said. On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. But that foundation is there. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. Were like a family. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. Its very much a work-hard-for-what-you-get community. Another thing that needs context is how hyper competitive Class 7A, Region 3 football is within the state. Thats huge. You have permission to edit this article. Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. In the 2022 class, the state's No. I kind of fell out of love with the game, Thompson admits as he sits in Central Cabarrus empty auxiliary gym earlier this year. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. Freeman was also the coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons. Whatever that it is and wherever it takes him. The season before he arrived, the Warriors finished with an 0-10 record, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. Auburns top signee in the 2022 class was Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard, a flipped commitment from Alabama. Career. Theyll offer that kid early. I really dont. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. WVUA 23 is a competitive professional commercial television Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. For us to win a state championship at Central Cabarrus, that would mean everything to me and the guys, Thompson added. Weve got some guys here that have got to get on board. Alabaster City Schools is planning a new high school that should be open in less than three years. We had the opportunity to bring him in here, and he was interested in getting into athletics administration working closely with coach Pitts, Hester said. Here's an updated ranking of how Class 7A, Region 3's salary structure adds up: The salary data isn't everything. His teams were also state championship runner-ups in 2001 and 2005. Football Coaches High School Season Job San Rafael California USA Thompsons mom had put a ball in his hands when he was about 4 years old, and he hadnt let it go since. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . After National Signing Day, Harsin hadnot visited Montgomery Catholic, which is 50 minutes from Auburn. And the results speak for itself: over the past five seasons, the Warriors are 62-6. "This is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. Its very much a blue-collar, working-class community. Please subscribe to keep reading. But weve got an outstanding individual that loves our kids and loves our parents, loves our school system.. Those were the things that helped bring him solace as he was dealing with his frustration. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those who have taken notice. I was like, Yeah, I can really do this, if I put my mind to it, Thompson recalled. The TV & Film Academy is also the home of THS TV, Thompson High School's student-run newscast. Well, its not good for the program at Tuscaloosa County. It's the second time during the three-peat that Thompson has defeated the Red Devils (13-1) in the championship game. Hes rare. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. Thompson Football Documents. That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. Join to view profile Thompson Valley High School. "It is going to be special.". "We are going to make Friday night special," Freeman said. Eli Mendoza - Assistant Football Coach - Thompson Valley High School Fegans laughs with a nod at that description. That facility will also come with a new football stadium. Sure, its great. Eads appreciated Harsin asking for ideas and advice about organizing a coaching clinic. That season,. Outside The Huddle: Thompson High School Head Coach Mark Freeman Matt Jackson High School Teacher/ Head Men's Basketball & Cross Country Coach. Im going to make you a promise. I made my grandma a promise that I was going to do whatever it takes to get what I needed. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. The fact that neither Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson are among the three highest-paid coaches in their own region is surprising. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). 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. That now makes him the highest-paid coach in Alabama high school football. 90 nationally. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Its obviously different, but honestly thats what drew me to Moody from Thompson, Ganus said, because of where Im from and where I played at Chelsea. Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. That means his teams have played for a title in eight of the 16 seasons he's been a head coach. Playing ball was what hed done for so long, he almost was on auto-pilot out there. He was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. professionals work together to achieve the highest standards in McCaskey football tabs assistant Ben Thompson as head coach for 2021 Lets just say that over the years, my writings have agitated some. Freeman also served one year as an assistant at Minor for the 2008 season. Thompsons James L Simmons Stadium underwent a facelift for the 2014 season with press box improvements and new artificial turf. }; Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. Thompson . Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Salary: Tony Gaines Show More Show Less 5 of 93. With three five-stars prospects and a four-star, Thompson has put together a defense that is nearly impenetrable. Tommy Thompson has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. Westlake High School Football Coach Todd Dodge Might Be The Best Who Job Summary. 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). 0:36. Portsmouth High School names Keith MacDonald as new football coach He also coached softball, powerlifting, girls and boys basketball. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. The quintet started. Shelby County Schools is currently looking to fill the head coaching position at Calera High School. Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. Experience: 16 years Education: Texas A&M What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. What I like to see is somebody who keeps coming by: Coach, I know you ain't got nothing for me this year, but tell me about who does have somebody for me. Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. On 12/9, the Thomson varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Fitzgerald (GA) by a score of 32-27. He felt he was on his way. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. Lakeshore announces Danny Thompson as the school's new head football coach He was the offensive coordinator at Middleville High School since 2018. Jaiden Thompson (3) busts a move to get to the basket. Central has played for the 7A championship in three of the last four seasons, beating Thompson 52-7 in 2018 . Copyright All rights reserved. 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. Faculty & Staff / Administration - Alabaster City Schools They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. 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. 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. Highland Home has been a revolving door of head coaches visiting Faulk, including Tennessees Josh Heupel. Funny how hard work works. And weve never seen Coach Harsin on campus.. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. Ty Branyon. The answer to that is Freeman. He had a two-year stint at Gulf Shores before Spanish Fort lured him away. Its been fun to watch his shoulders broaden, his game become more dominant, and his leaping ability take on an Olympic high jumper-like quality. How do you go from that 6-4 year and what ways can I get our kids over that hump. Some believe its unreasonable to expect Harsin to contact every in-state school so quickly. It would turn out to be the most heavily-attended board meeting for a school system that's still just in its toddler years. And you sort of follow it, the top 70, 80, 90 kids end up going D-II and whatnot. (Hurley recently committed to Alabama.). AHSFHS.org - Alabama High School Football Coaches Tommy Thompson (soccer) - Wikipedia Ganus was part of a Thompson coaching staff that has won three straight 7A state championships from 2019-2021. Ryan Thorburn. 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. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. He will receive a salary package as a teacher, football coach and system athletics director that will pay him $121,000 annually. Being able to keep that promise for my grandma? Rigby hasn't met Harsin. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . What more were we going to do at Spanish Fort? A new barbecue restaurant in Kannapolis is taking shape. If you told me, You cant do this. Then Im going to go in and do my best, Freeman said. University of Northern Colorado . This was what hed wanted for most of his basketball life: to don that Green and Gold. That followed time at Montevallo where he also served as the head baseball coach and athletic director for the Bulldogs. Simpson spent the previous two years coaching the Eagles after taking over for Andrew Zow ahead of the 2019 season. Both coaches compete in Class 7A, Region 3. When Harsin visited Mars Hill, he was targeting three-star offensive lineman Koby Keenum, who playsa position of priority for Auburns 2023 class. The Freeman and Floyd hirings have signaled a new era in Alabama high school football. The Warriors went 5-5 in each of his first two seasons in 2015 and 2016. But by last fall, basketball was anything but that for Thompson. 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.". Some names on that C.C. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. He has not met Harsin. Those totals did not include any monies received from head football coaches for their football camps. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. Thompson went 0-10 last year and 7-23 in three years under Mike Montgomery. } } No matter how bad the Vikings had been before his arrival. After that, everything just clicked. The board approved him through a solitary personnel action. The highest-paid high school head football coaches in the - Chron Tommy Thompson weighed 192 lbs (87 kg) when playing. She said, What are you going to do about it?. Taylor High School. How many games did Tommy Thompson play? 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 Thompson-Hoover rivalry has become one of the best in the state. Working with him before, it was a fortunate opportunity for us to have this chance to bring him on board.. Baker, who had a decorated career as the head coach at Catawba College, believes Thompson, who carries a 3.8 GPA, will win the recruiting game. In the blackness of night, a car rolled up beside me. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. How tall was Tommy Thompson? Weve been talking about that for so long. Television Production Academy / TV & Film Home - Alabaster City Schools His softball teams made Final 4 appearances from 2003-05, and his powerlifting teams were 3 time State Champs. 56-38 (W) Thomson @ South Atlanta. 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. Website. Thompson Warrior: Sloth Nationzz AHSFHS Master Researcher. Twenty-four (Thompsons jersey number as a freshman before he switched to his current No. 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. Hes a five-star rated prospect and the 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. In 2023, the state has 11 of the top 100. Its miracle win to bring another state. Jaiden Thompson (3) is introduced before a Central Cabarrus game. Freeman won four state titles during the last decade at Spanish Fort in 2011 and 2013. After graduation, he coached at various high schools. So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. 2 in Alabama) and defensive lineman Peter Woods (No. 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. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. Gardendale coach Chad Eads is another multi-decade coaching veteran who has seen all kinds of things that I didn't like and things I wish they wouldn't say. But he was impressed with Harsin when he and a few assistants visited recently. 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. Following the 2020-21 school year, Thompson was even named Teacher of the Year for the Ogden School District. 1 and No. Thompson, 52, was in his fourth season as head coach at Mira Mesa High, his alma mater. Hes spent this winter answering those questions unequivocally, but he wants to put an exclamation mark on it now. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." One region athletic director told AL.com earlier this year that he feared an "arms race" might be upon us. The 27 . Freeman's decision . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. To me it made a lot of sense. That tough style of play, a hard-nosed defensive mindset, has an aligning charm with the city of Alabaster. 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. I got outta there as fast as my Nissan with the lawn mower engine could go. And it was Bethel who introduced him to the Vertimax, a machine designed to improve jumping ability. Hes got what the kids call bounce.. He was later released and eventually joined the Thompson coaching staff, coaching linebackers. Wallace is expected to transfer. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. Man died Wednesday. 1 and No. No, we got a great person, Vickers said. Since then, Ive made it a point to keep up with Thompson. Anderson set the state's all-time record for career victories earlier this season. Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. Ogden High football coach Erik Thompson not letting his battle - KSL As of Wednesday, the plan is to play. Team 8-4 - Language Arts, AVID. 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. 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. And, yes, I went on to write about him. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. Thompson names former Spanish Fort coach Mark Freeman as its new - al Ive made a living off of beating a lot of four- and five-star kids with guys like you., Its awesome for a kid to get to hear that, Etheredge said. Two of those four, edge rusher Jeremiah Alexander and cornerback Trequon Fegans, are verbally committed to Alabama in the class of 2022. THS Athletics. And Updates from all around. That defeat still rings in the ears of the team, especially the defense, which isnt accustomed to teams crossing the goal line once, never mind how many times Hoover did. Will Thompson hired as Spring Grove Area High School football coach Tommy Thompson was 6-1 (185 cm) tall. And Faulkner, direct as they come, wanted answers. Experience: 38 years Education: University of Texas Assignment: Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Wife: Teresa Children: Abby, Kate Phone: 512-414-0528 Email: [email protected]. All rights reserved. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. CIF Fundamentals of Coaching (Information provided by district). Shortly after that meeting ended, the new coach spoke about the challenges and opportunity of taking over at Moody. Records reflect scores in our database. As for his immediate plans at Moody, Ganus said that he was looking to build on the recent success the team has found. "prerollTemplate":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x480&iu=/132916964,95765933/wvua23.com/football-friday&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&correlator=1677958717&cust_params=category=Football%20Friday%2CHigh%20School%20Sports%2CSports&video_position=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvua23.com%2Foutside-the-huddle-thompson-high-school-head-coach-mark-freeman%2F&post=189033" . There are now five. Shes real aggressive sometimes, but I love her. Sophomore year, I knew I was pretty good, but I had a bad habit of comparing myself to other people, Thompson said. The Warriors (13-1) captured a third straight 7A championship while making a fourth straight Super 7 appearance. 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. Eason was also frequently praised for his recruiting. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest turnaround. When Etheridge visited in January, it was the first and only time we have communicated with Auburn. Vigor has two rising talents: junior defensive end Michael Towner and freshman offensive lineman Micha Debose. Youre going to be writing about him.. Published 3:43 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. I think Auburn's going to be OK," Pouncey said. He was good. On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. That was his happy place, his own piece of utopia. School board meetings don't go quite like this in Alabaster. He ran from the other side of the field all the way to our sideline and tackled the quarterback, Fegans said. Alabaster is the 16th largest city in the state, but its high school is home to more than 2,000 students with the population growing over the past couple of decades. It was late January, and Harsin and receivers coach Eric Kiesau were visiting Mars Hill Bible School in Florence. He knows theyll be there after that, too, no matter where he is in life. 5 in the state and No. Suddenly, the window rolled down and a man called out, Horton! You could have one bad game, and you kind of, like, judge yourself, and you ask yourself, Is this really what I want to do?, It would bring my confidence down. There he won consecutive state championships in 2012 and 2013. He backed off that pledge seven months later and decommitted. How can we make Moody more successful. 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 dont know if Ive ever raised my voice at Jaiden, Baker said. It was as long as any college coach had stayed to chat. 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. 258 Following. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. Ive just been working like crazy since then. 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. But in middle school is also when Thompsons love for the game took its first arrow. 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. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. 19) in over a decade. Thompson high school-Miracle Win-Class 7A Championship-Alabama football Bowie High School Football Search. 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. 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.