Katy ISD. 2 class in 2022, are reaping the benefit of another nationally relevant football program in their backyard. "I think every team wants to win. Buildings are filling up. This will be Ganuss first head coaching position. "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" Harsins first signing class was Auburns lowest-ranked (No. Its allowed five points per game, and 24 of those came in the regular-season finale a loss to nearby power Hoover. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. He ran from the other side of the field all the way to our sideline and tackled the quarterback, Fegans said. He was THAT good. 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. Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers said Freeman's first day on the job will be Jan. 5, 2015. Hey, it comes with the gig. Website. 1 and No. It pisses us off, Alexander said. Now, reaching the 30-win plateau -- in ONE season is the standard. He wanted to change the narrative.. All rights reserved (About Us). BP Brandon Petersen Team 8-2 - Social Studies. The No. 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 has heard similarly from other Birmingham coaches. Coach Freemans football program has a trademark phrase. Thompson was beside himself. Freeman was also the coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons. Like us on Facebook Ths Athletics and Follow us on Instagram THS_ATHLETICS. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. 74 overall in the 2023 class. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. That's what Freeman's glowing resume is expected to bring. No matter how bad the Vikings had been before his arrival. Thats the altitude Thompson has currently reached with its run of impressive athletes, which also includes three-star quarterback Conner Harrell, who is committed to North Carolina. "I think they can recruit with the best they've proved that in the past. "Rogers (High) AD Ricky Hole was close friends with my dad," MacDonald said. Jaiden Thompson averaged nearly 20 points per game thisseason. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. 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. So how did this high school team, about 66 miles from the University of Alabama campus in a town with a population of less than 35,000, rise of out of near obscurity to become one of the best high school football programs in the country and a burgeoning pipeline for the Crimson Tide? Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. I grew up right down the road from Alabaster, Freeman said. Tommy Thompson weighed 192 lbs (87 kg) when playing. 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. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. Its home for me. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. He was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. With three five-stars prospects and a four-star, Thompson has put together a defense that is nearly impenetrable. 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. People were telling me, You need to transfer. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. In the four years before Thompson and Bullock got to campus, the Vikings won a total of 33 games. Jaiden Thompson (3) shoots the J with a hand in his face. 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.. 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. Auburn High School coach Keith Etheredge heard Harsin say it: You may not have all those stars, but Ive seen you play. Hes spent this winter answering those questions unequivocally, but he wants to put an exclamation mark on it now. I dont know if Ive ever raised my voice at Jaiden, Baker said. I think he wanted to have what he had at Boise, at Auburn, Higgins said. The quintet started. Jaiden Thompson takes flight last week against Shelby Crest. Higgins was struck by a new coach trying to learn and improve while maintaining his recruiting principles. 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. Following almost every activity whether its a win, a loss, or a practice you see Thompsons signature Outworkem All expression on social media. I was always that guy growing up that you could negative motivate me. 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 Rebels were also runner-up in 2001 and 2005. Simpson will be heavily involved in helping with operations and administration of several different sports, which Hester said will be a huge help. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . His seven year record in baseball was 116-70, with two Final 4 appearances. Thompson figured his freshman season was a success, but he knew he could be better. Sure, its great. School board meetings don't go quite like this in Alabaster. Freeman would not arrive to greet a packed school board room until approximately 35 minutes later. Watch this highlight video of the Thomson (GA) football team in its game Recap: Thomson vs. Westside 2022 on Nov 3, 2022. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. 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). The Thompson-Hoover rivalry has become one of the best in the state. We weren't able to find anything that matched your search criteria. Simpson spent the previous two years coaching the Eagles after taking over for Andrew Zow ahead of the 2019 season. 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 has his second chance, but his recruiting remains an urgent issue. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. WVUA 23 is a competitive professional commercial television You know Peter is going to be back there somewhere. The years you dont have players, they dont know your name.. 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. Valid CPR and First Aid, TB Test, Fingerprint Process, NFHS online coaching certificates; Heat Illness Prevention. 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. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. 0:36. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Search. And if when that actually comes to fruition? They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school. 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. "Its a blessed day," Freeman said. 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. 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. Anderson set the state's all-time record for career victories earlier this season. But after realizing that I wanted it for myself, then things just started to pick up.. But he knew it. In his third season, the results started to show. His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. That was his happy place, his own piece of utopia. A four-star recruit, hes ranked No. Thompson coach Mark Freeman sent Hardy, who had missed an extra point in the first quarter, back on the field for a game-winning 35-yard goal try with four seconds remaining. And it was Bethel who introduced him to the Vertimax, a machine designed to improve jumping ability. The Warriors (13-1) captured a third straight 7A championship while making a fourth straight Super 7 appearance. 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. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. Johnson calls former Auburn assistant Travis Williams probably the best freaking recruiter Ive ever been around.. The fact that neither Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson are among the three highest-paid coaches in their own region is surprising. The Warriors are the pride of the community, and why wouldnt they be? The 27 . 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A. Those totals did not include any monies received from head football coaches for their football camps. 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. Ben Thompson, an assistant on Sam London's staff the last two seasons, will be the Red Tornado's . I knew he had a plane to get to, and I kept trying to hurry him out, Eads said. 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. That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. My uncle was a football star here, so carrying on the tradition was pretty dope, Thompson. How can we make Moody more successful. They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. Assistant Football Coach at Thompson Valley High School Loveland, Colorado, United States. Volunteer Help the coach manage this team. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. "It's not a hard place to recruit to. Both are top-40 nationally. Shade thought Harsin did a good job communicating through his assistants, especially Etheridge. 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. 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's also not letting ALS take away his ability to coach, even if he's had to rely on . 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . In 2011, he became the head football coach at Spanish Fort High School. He coached for almost 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. In the 2022 class, the state's No. Cornel Thompson, who led West Orange-Stark to four state championship games and won two of them, told . Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. 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. Auburn hadn't signed an Auburn High School player since 2009, but Harsin landed offensive lineman Eston Harris Jr. and linebacker Powell Gordon in 2022. How well Harsin capitalizes on it can decide his future with the Tigers. What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. Hoover City Schools pays its football coaches the same $47,741 stipend. All are seniors and key contributors on this Vikings squad making its bid for the schools first state championship since 2000. Theyll offer that kid early. Both coaches compete in Class 7A, Region 3. Alabaster City Schools approved Freeman as the new head football coach at Thompson on Friday. Near Birmingham, Gardendales Kelby Collins is No. Thats what I actually LOVE about this team. 6 recruits in the states 2023 class attend Carver: defensive lineman James Smith and edge Jaquavious Russaw. Success is here.". I mean, if you come and play hard, its hard to get on a kid. 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. 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.. 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. Jaiden Thompson looks to make a pass during his freshman season. Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. }; Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. Calera High School is searching for a new head football coach after Trey Simpson, above, joined Thompson High School in an athletic administration role. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. The only time Johnson had met Harsin was during a FaceTime with Etheridge, during which the assistant coach briefly put Harsin on the phone. Published 3:43 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Thomson 56. Later, the same call was made on Bullock. Wendell stayed at public school, he stayed grounded, he stayed with Cox Mill for four years. Niblett has led Hoover to three straight state titles in the AHSAA's largest classification. "dfpConfig": { He knew it, not in a cocky way. 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. 0. But he acknowledges that the dynamics have changed since he was leading the Indians courting prospects. I really dont. Its going to be scary.. Quite frankly, thats the way the locals like it. Defensive lineman Peter Woods and cornerback Tony Mitchell are uncommitted five-star 2023 recruits with offers from the Crimson Tide, among many other high-profile schools. Its very much a work-hard-for-what-you-get community. I believe all the state schools beside (Alabama) and Tuskegee University can do a better job with in-state recruiting. } } He knew then-Central upperclassmen Christian Cornish and Dajon Johnson well. Eason was also frequently praised for his recruiting. 11 in the 247Sports Composite and already stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting One of Harsin's strategies in that regard has been emphasis onlocal recruiting. 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? 56-38 (W) Thomson @ South Atlanta. (Hurley recently committed to Alabama.). I always said why is Thompson never getting over the hill?. It's the second time during the three-peat that Thompson has defeated the Red Devils (13-1) in the championship game. The Advertiser spoke to 14 Alabama high school coaches about how Auburn has recruited their programs. While Ganus went undrafted in 2016, he signed a free agent deal with the NFLs Minnesota Vikings in 2016. Wherever the quarterback is, you know Peter is going to be there.. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. No, we got a great person, Vickers said. But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. 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. 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. Main Number 331-228-3100 . records may be incomplete. Its a hotly contested game that draws huge crowds, benefitting both programs. Try a week on us. That's the predominately Birmingham-based region in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's largest playing classification. Another thing that needs context is how hyper competitive Class 7A, Region 3 football is within the state. The run included a 31-game win streak, eventually snapped by Daphne late in the 2014 season. On 12/2, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against Appling County (Baxley, GA) by a score of 20-14. 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. Things started off good for him the summer before his freshman year at Central. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Freeman's decision . professionals work together to achieve the highest standards in A lot of D-I people like him, some D-IIs. Shade, a former Alabama player, enjoyed his conversations with Harsin and thought Harsin was a good Auburn ambassador. 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. Tournament Game. Everybodys thinking about the recruiting process, Thompson said. Freeman went 50-7 in four years with the Toros, leading them to state championships in 2012 and 2013. us to complete every school. 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. A number of coaches were baffled that they haven't interacted with Auburn's head coach. Playing ball was what hed done for so long, he almost was on auto-pilot out there. Visit our website for info. The Toros defeated McAdory to claim their second state championship in three years with a 14-1 record. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . Central has played for the 7A championship in three of the last four seasons, beating Thompson 52-7 in 2018 . Coach: Todd Thompson. Thompson graduated in 1962 from Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas and went on to play at Louisiana College. Football. He had been battling bone cancer, but is believed to have succumbed to complications from COVID-19. 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. Lakeshore announces Danny Thompson as the school's new head football coach He was the offensive coordinator at Middleville High School since 2018. Faulkners first grandbaby, Thompson was, in many ways, HER heartbeat. That winter also is when I personally started to make my first close observations of Thompsons abilities. Especially in the Mobile area, McKenzie wrote in a text. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. Man died Wednesday. Thompson smiled as he recalled the encounter and warned, My grandma, she has a way with words. Theyre not practicing the way we want them to practice. Now, hell join ACS and Thompson High School in an athletic administrative role alongside athletic director Vincent Pitts and others in the department, while also continuing his role as a special education teacher. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Theres no tearing stuff down. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. That season,. C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus Thompson fulfilling his promise in more ways than one. This was what hed wanted for most of his basketball life: to don that Green and Gold. It took Freeman a couple of years to get it going. Hes built similarly to former Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. 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. 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. 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. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? The outworkem all came. Whether or not thats a serious concern varies depending on the coach. "It is going to be special.". Once that first game came and everything was so quick and easy, I was just (snaps fingers), Yeah, I can do this.. Freeman also served one year as an assistant at Minor for the 2008 season. 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. That tough style of play, a hard-nosed defensive mindset, has an aligning charm with the city of Alabaster. Its very much a blue-collar, working-class community. He moved on to Gulf Shores in 2009. All rights reserved. Email Brandon Graves. Despite its relatively new facilities a new high school opened in 2018 at 360,000 square feet at a cost of $88 million one wouldnt describe Alabaster as fancy. Everytime you can affect people, its like an adrenaline shot.. Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football schedule released. Griffin Middle School squad. The Warriors went 5-5 in each of his first two seasons in 2015 and 2016. Im just trying to go MY way. It would turn out to be the most heavily-attended board meeting for a school system that's still just in its toddler years. "We are going to make Friday night special," Freeman said. Jaiden Thompson (3) leaving it all on the court. I can work as good as anybody, Freeman said. This fall, the Warriors completed a 9-1 regular season and are slated to start the state playoffs Friday against Florence. As for his immediate plans at Moody, Ganus said that he was looking to build on the recent success the team has found. Shortly after that meeting ended, the new coach spoke about the challenges and opportunity of taking over at Moody.
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