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. ", Before Wade Waldrop became Hoovers coach recently, he coached five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley at Florence. 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. I knew he had a plane to get to, and I kept trying to hurry him out, Eads said. Alabama High School Football History - ahsfhs.org Ty Hulstine: The road home | Local Sports | joplinglobe.com That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Watch this highlight video of the Thompson (Alabaster, AL) football team in its game Lipscomb Academy on Aug 27, 2022 All Contest Videos Box Score Jan 31, 2023 @ 5:51pm 5-star DB Anquon Fegans | 2022 Highlights Sophomore season highlights of Thompson's (Alabaster, AL) 5-star safety Anquon Fegans. The outworkem all came. Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. 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. On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. The No. He has heard similarly from other Birmingham coaches. Position: Coach - JV Football - Davis Senior High School, July-November 2023, $3,366.00/season. 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. His grandma, of course, will be with his grandpa, his mother and his uncle cheering Thompson on, hopefully for the next two weekends. High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . "This is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. I think he wanted to have what he had at Boise, at Auburn, Higgins said. While at Bessemer Academy, Coach Freeman also served as the head baseball coach. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. 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. "We are going to make Friday night special," Freeman said. Buildings are filling up. For 2023, the only states with more top-100 recruits are Florida and Texas. In a way, I was kind of alarmed. resigned from his position after four very successful years, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. 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. Tommy Thompson (soccer) - Wikipedia But during his time at Calera, Simpson was also the teams baseball coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons and eventually became the schools athletic director. 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. Jaiden Thompson takes flight last week against Shelby Crest. But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had . Jaiden Thompson averaged nearly 20 points per game thisseason. Career. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. 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 wanted to change the narrative.. 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.) 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. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The season before he arrived, the Warriors finished with an 0-10 record, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. Later, the same call was made on Bullock. But he acknowledges that the dynamics have changed since he was leading the Indians courting prospects. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. You dont work out anymore.. You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? Theyre going to find guys who want to do all those things.. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest turnaround. High school coaches who have been visited by Harsin in the last year have appreciated his honesty and his straightforward approach. How can we make Moody more successful. Its home for me. I know people. Thompsons feelings certainly werent about a lack of love for the Vikings. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. After 90 minutes of talking football, Darrell Higgins couldnt believe Harsin was still in his office. 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. Eason was also frequently praised for his recruiting. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school. And the whole country has been here, pretty much., Gardner, whos entering his second year at Carver, said he and Harsin talked about their common experiences in new jobs. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. 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. His 2013 team finished 15-0 and won another Class 5A state championship with a win over Muscle Shoals in the title game. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. (Hurley recently committed to Alabama.). One Division-I school, Western Carolina, had confirmed as much when it offered him a scholarship after his freshman season. 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.. 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. Since then, Ive made it a point to keep up with Thompson. No JV for you, rookie. Jaiden Thompson (3) flies high to block a shot. Sure, its great. KANNAPOLIS After walking into town 12 years ago and leaving his footprint at one of the most highly regarded programs in Cabarrus County, Mi, CONCORD They draw fans to the storied gym in droves, as if the Charlotte Hornets the original Kelly Tripucka-in-the-Charlotte-Coliseum Hor. Coach Freemans football program has a trademark phrase. I thought he and coach Pitts would form a really good team and relationship to help us grow Thompson athletics, Hester said. And she could see right through him. Now, theyre recruiting the freakish athlete. C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus' Thompson fulfilling his 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. Mark Freeman is the new head football coach at Thompson High School. His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. 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. Its so rewarding what we deal with. Eason is at Clemson now. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Make them your biggest fans.. 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? Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football schedule released. Outside The Huddle: Thompson High School Head Coach Mark Freeman . His bloodlines are pretty good too, with his older brother Antwon at Arkansas State and his younger brother Anquon, a class of 2025 recruit, already holding offers from Florida, Georgia and Miami, among others. Is Tommy Thompson in the Hall of Fame? 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. Hes built similarly to former Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. Then theres Mitchell, a five-star 2023 recruit whos No. Both are top-40 nationally. Hes got what the kids call bounce.. Staff - Leopard Athletics - Lorena Independent School District In another, it makes perfect sense. Portsmouth High School names Keith MacDonald as new football coach "dfpConfig": { New Orleans (La.) For us to win a state championship at Central Cabarrus, that would mean everything to me and the guys, Thompson added. Published 3:43 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2021. 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. }; Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. Its a region that includes Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain, Gadsden City and Tuscaloosa County. Theyve already landed two blue-chip recruits from Thompson in the 2022 class, and they have eyes on two more in 2023. 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. 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. 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. Reed made such a positiveimpact that the Auburn alum was promoted this week to director of recruiting relations, adding to Harsin's arsenal. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those who have taken notice. From there, he was recruited to the University of Georgia. Thompson High School (Alabaster, AL) Varsity Football - MaxPreps.com Out of all of the public high school football coaches, Joseph is the highest-paid. As of Wednesday, the plan is to play. PORTSMOUTH Aquidneck Island native and Portsmouth resident Keith MacDonald vividly remembers how he got his first football coaching job. "I grew up right down the road from Alabaster," Freeman said. Football Coaches High School Season Job San Rafael California USA The Warriors went 5-5 in each of his first two seasons in 2015 and 2016. I have a great team, a great family, and we could actually win this whole thing.. You couldnt really see it, unless you had Phyllis Anns keen eyes. Shes real aggressive sometimes, but I love her. Football Coaches. He spent a lot of time here talking, and he didn't have to do that. After graduation, he coached at various high schools. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. 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 was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. 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. 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. He has a lot of rich athletic administration experience, Thompson Principal Dr. Wesley Hester said. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". 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. The Freeman and Floyd hirings have signaled a new era in Alabama high school football. Griffin Middle School squad. 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. Hes ranked No. AL.com requested salaries from all coaches in the Metro Birmingham area this past spring. I really dont. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. 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. Katy ISD. 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. Hoover has faced it plenty over the years. My uncle was a football star here, so carrying on the tradition was pretty dope, Thompson. Coaches liked that Harsin didn't hold back in that regard. And Updates from all around. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 20-14 win @ Appling County on 12/2/2022 7:30 PM. The TV & Film Academy is also the home of THS TV, Thompson High School's student-run newscast. The top 25 class of 2023 football recruits - USA TODAY High School Sports "I've been around a lot of coaches, and he may be one of the most competitive guys I've talked to as far aswhat he expects," Keith Etheredge said. Harsin, former defensive coordinator Derek Mason and a number of assistants visited Williamson during Woodyard's recruitment, and coach Melvin Pete Jr. was impressed by their professional style. Pete enjoyed a conversation with Harsinin December about how Auburn schemed in the Iron Bowl. 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. It took Freeman a couple of years to get it going. 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. That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. Across the street, Swim teacher's life saved by couple's good timing, Woman dies in Friday night Tuscaloosa County crash, Golf cart-based taxi service Bama Ride in hot water with city. Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Soccer Shots Sacramento North hiring Youth Soccer Coach in Citrus 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. Will Thompson hired as Spring Grove Area High School football coach Its allowed five points per game, and 24 of those came in the regular-season finale a loss to nearby power Hoover. "He asked me if I wanted to get . They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. 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. His record at Thompson in nine seasons is 83-18 and 21-2 in the playoffs. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. How do those salary ranges compare to the rest of Class 7A, Region 3? Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History. The board approved him through a solitary personnel action. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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). In Freemans first two seasons, Thompson finished with a 5-5 record. Job Summary. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting But it wasnt an, Absolutely, yeah, Ill do it. But then I started thinking about it. station in the nations top 40 market where students and Wendell stayed at public school, he stayed grounded, he stayed with Cox Mill for four years. 56-38 (W) Thomson @ South Atlanta. Once that first game came and everything was so quick and easy, I was just (snaps fingers), Yeah, I can do this.. THS Athletics. Moore heard those private-school whispers, too. 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? Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. Near Birmingham, Gardendales Kelby Collins is No. Actually, me and Gavin have been talking about this since we were little boys. Shortly after that meeting ended, the new coach spoke about the challenges and opportunity of taking over at Moody. Whether or not thats a serious concern varies depending on the coach. You have to build on the foundation that was set, he said. Posted - 02/28/2023 : 12:35:46 . Harsins first signing class was Auburns lowest-ranked (No. Theres no tearing stuff down. Im not a fan of anybody, but I just respected him coming in and talking about getting the culture right, Gardner said. Everytime you can affect people, its like an injection of energy. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. Hes spent this winter answering those questions unequivocally, but he wants to put an exclamation mark on it now. There have been a ton of (recruiters) whove seen him. I can work as good as anybody, Freeman said. It's the second time during the three-peat that Thompson has defeated the Red Devils (13-1) in the championship game. Fegans laughs with a. These coaches have done a great job of laying that foundation. His Rebels were also runner-up in 2001 and 2005. That was his happy place, his own piece of utopia. He has his second chance, but his recruiting remains an urgent issue. The only problem was that a number of coaches at prominent football schools have not met him. His teacher contract will be $46,113 annually. I watched him in the Gadsden City game. 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. 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. One part of the team that will be missing is a starting quarterback, as A.J. "I want everyone else to know we are going to be a major player in everything we do for our children," Vickers said. I dont know if Ive ever raised my voice at Jaiden, Baker said. Join to view profile Thompson Valley High School. "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" MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. He took his time, did his research, seemed to flirt with Clemson and ended up back at the beginning this summer, committing to Alabama again on July 8. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. 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? He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. People were telling me, You need to transfer. Pinson Valley often has talent (see: Bo Nix). Photographer Cecil Copeland has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship) containing 176 photos. } } Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. 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. Thompson Football Staff Players (118) Staff (3) Help the team get started! I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. Those totals did not include any monies received from head football coaches for their football camps. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Roderick Thompson incorporates life lessons with Anderson football Tommy Thompson - pro-football-reference.com Alabama's new backyard recruiting pipeline: How Thompson High School But in the fall, while it was hard for people who only knew Thompson as the top-notch ballplayer and smart, all-around good guy to tell the difference when he was on the court, one visitor to a Central preseason game could easily notice: his grandma, Phyllis Ann Faulkner. 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. Rigby hasn't met Harsin. Please subscribe to keep reading. There are now five. Forced to reckon with established powers, what has Harsin done to make recruiting inroads in his first 14 months? I look forward to things to come. var field59 = field59 || {}; 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. That would probably be one of my biggest accomplishments no matter if its winning a state championship or scoring 1,000 points. An extended COVID-19 recruiting dead period ended June 1, 2021. us to complete every school. Sophomore year, I knew I was pretty good, but I had a bad habit of comparing myself to other people, Thompson said. Lakeshore announces Danny Thompson as the school's new head football coach 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I kind of fell out of love with the game, Thompson admits as he sits in Central Cabarrus empty auxiliary gym earlier this year.