Auburn president Jay Gogue announced Feb. 11 that Harsin will remain the coach in 2022. Valid CPR and First Aid, TB Test, Fingerprint Process, NFHS online coaching certificates; Heat Illness Prevention. Shade thought Harsin did a good job communicating through his assistants, especially Etheridge. Being able to keep that promise for my grandma? One of the states current football hot spots is G.W. Words wouldnt be able to explain that moment.. That's the predominately Birmingham-based region in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's largest playing classification. 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. There arent many words for that, Thompson says. The difference between the salaries at Hoover and Spain Park are based in education credits for each teacher within the teacher salary. People were telling me, You need to transfer. Hes ranked No. Near Birmingham, Gardendales Kelby Collins is No. They do so with a collection of talent on defense that stirs the imagination. 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. History of High School Football in Alabama Coaches Project 2023 Head Coach changes New Topic Reply to Topic Printer Friendly: Previous Page: Author: Topic : Page: of 4: vvala45 New Forum Member. All rights reserved. Niblett has led Hoover to three straight state titles in the AHSAA's largest classification. On the night he scored his 1,000th career point, Jaiden Thompson is joined by (from left) his grandfather Nick Corry, his grandmother Phyllis Ann Faulker, his mother Keyna Ricks and his uncle Michael Ricks. 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. His teacher contract will be $46,113 annually. You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. Last years team started 3-2 and finished 3-7, but lost four games by eight points or less to talented playoff teams. 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. Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He knows theyll be there after that, too, no matter where he is in life. Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : During a salary survey this spring of all Metro schools, Alabaster City Schools reported that former coach Mike Montgomery was given an annual salary through all supplements of $72,857.50 for this season. How well Harsin capitalizes on it can decide his future with the Tigers. The only time Johnson had met Harsin was during a FaceTime with Etheridge, during which the assistant coach briefly put Harsin on the phone. 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. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Josh Floyd was hired by earlier this month for $121,000 per season. It took Freeman a couple of years to get it going. But in middle school is also when Thompsons love for the game took its first arrow. That followed time at Montevallo where he also served as the head baseball coach and athletic director for the Bulldogs. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. Hey, it comes with the gig. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. And for that to actually happen? Brandon Graves Elementary Teacher / Head Baseball & Asst Football Coach. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery. He needed to hit that growth spurt, and he needed to become familiar with the weight room. He has his second chance, but his recruiting remains an urgent issue. Theyre not practicing the way we want them to practice. } } Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. Posted - 02/28/2023 : 12:35:46 . Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Higgins was impressed. And you sort of follow it, the top 70, 80, 90 kids end up going D-II and whatnot. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. We now have834teams & 188,070games on AHSFHS.org. Jaiden Thompson looks to make a pass during his freshman season. Things have been up and down, kind of like a roller coaster. Im just trying to go MY way. The TV & Film Academy is also the home of THS TV, Thompson High School's student-run newscast. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. Position: Football Coaches, San Rafael High School 23/24 Season. I would be real timid the next game and not be aggressive and show what I could actually do.. Freeman, an Alabama graduate, attended Bessemer Academy and has maintained a home in the McCalla area. It was as long as any college coach had stayed to chat. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. 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. "It's not a hard place to recruit to. So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. No JV for you, rookie. Moore heard those private-school whispers, too. In his third season, the results started to show. 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. Congratulations to Jahkiaus Jones, Jaquan Hart, Jordan Jones and Jontavis Curry for being selected the Thomson players of the game. Hes rare. McCaskey has found its football coach for the 2021 season, which is right around the corner. 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). Coaches are paid a stipend at the end of the season for their work. How tall was Tommy Thompson? These coaches have done a great job of laying that foundation. Simpson will be heavily involved in helping with operations and administration of several different sports, which Hester said will be a huge help. The most accomplished high school football coach in Southeast Texas is calling it a career. It was late January, and Harsin and receivers coach Eric Kiesau were visiting Mars Hill Bible School in Florence. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. 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. Matt Jackson High School Teacher/ Head Men's Basketball & Cross Country Coach. So if everybody took two players at the Apps and East Carolinas and Wilmingtons and all that, a lot of kids get to go play. I got outta there as fast as my Nissan with the lawn mower engine could go. I wrestled, I played baseball. 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. The run included a 31-game win streak, eventually snapped by Daphne late in the 2014 season. In the last 20 years, Alabama averaged 4.05 top-100 recruits, 7.05 top-200 and 10.3 top-300. I think that you trust your evaluation, and you don't put too much emphasis on the stars. 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. A four-star recruit, hes ranked No. 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. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. I was like, Yeah, I can really do this, if I put my mind to it, Thompson recalled. Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. They have reached the Class 7A State Championship Game each of the past four years and have captured three consecutive years. 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. Class 7A is the biggest classification in the AHSAA, which makes Freeman the architect of the biggest "turnaround". But he knew it. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . And Woods is a five-star 2023 defensive lineman who has programs all over the country begging for his services, too. Another pair of seniors, linebacker Jax Van Zandt and safety Trevor Hardy, are committed to North Texas and Memphis, respectively. Volunteer Roster last updated on Feb 16, 2023 @ 5:45pm (GMT) Print Roster Correction All-Time Roster After graduation, he coached at various high schools. Its a hotly contested game that draws huge crowds, benefitting both programs. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A lot of people thought Oh you just got a great coach. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Success is here.". Tommy Thompson was 6-1 (185 cm) tall. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. That facility will also come with a new football stadium. 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. I dont know if Ive ever raised my voice at Jaiden, Baker said. Alabaster City Schools is planning a new high school that should be open in less than three years. Coach Freemans football program has a trademark phrase. As does Thompson now. Freeman ran late for his big introduction. Thompson Football Documents. 27. I was always that guy growing up that you could negative motivate me. So if you can do it at that level, you can do it at an SEC level.. Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. Not yet 6 feet, Thompson proved he belonged with the big boys, the varsity. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Coming back here and kind of turning this program around was a big thing for me.. His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. Freeman went 50-7 in four years with the Toros, leading them to state championships in 2012 and 2013. Hoover City Schools pays its football coaches the same $47,741 stipend. 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. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those who have taken notice. Job Summary. Before that, I couldnt even get the rim, Thompson said. That shows citizens and potential community members that their school's high school football experience will be second to none in the state of Alabama. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. Shade, a former Alabama player, enjoyed his conversations with Harsin and thought Harsin was a good Auburn ambassador. 1 and No. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. High school coaches who have been visited by Harsin in the last year have appreciated his honesty and his straightforward approach. His uncle and role model, former Central Cabarrus football standout Michael Ricks, had a lot to do with that, coaching Thompson on his Concord Comets team and putting him through drills like dribbling with a tennis ball to improve his ball-handling. School board meetings don't go quite like this in Alabaster. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . Congratulations to Jontavis Curry, Noah Story, Marcellus Brigham and Jordan Jones for being selected the Thomson players of the game. In a way, I was kind of alarmed. But these next two weekends have special meaning. Mark Freeman is the new head football coach at Thompson High School. Contact Us. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." Alabama High School Football History Thompson Coaches Thompson Warriors The AHSFHS.org Fan Shop Some records may be incomplete. CONCORD The thumping of the ball against the hardwood, the symphony of screeching sneaker rubber echoing throughout the gym used to be metaphors for Jaiden Thompsons heartbeat. From there, he was recruited to the University of Georgia. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. Playing ball was what hed done for so long, he almost was on auto-pilot out there. He said Alabama assistant Sal Sunseri visited our school at least once per week when time was permitted., Another prominent coach in Alabama who spoke on condition of anonymity, when asked the biggest difference between Alabama and Auburn, had a simple response: Coach Saban has come by and spent up to an hour visiting with us. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. You couldnt really see it, unless you had Phyllis Anns keen eyes. Fegans is among Alabamas latest commitments, going public last month after decommitting from Miami. He ran from the other side of the field all the way to our sideline and tackled the quarterback, Fegans said. Main Number 331-228-3100 . "I think every team wants to win. PORTSMOUTH Aquidneck Island native and Portsmouth resident Keith MacDonald vividly remembers how he got his first football coaching job. Johnson calls former Auburn assistant Travis Williams probably the best freaking recruiter Ive ever been around.. Football Coaches. I can do this my way and actually go to a good college like Wendell did. Join to view profile Thompson Valley High School. In the blackness of night, a car rolled up beside me. I've got utmost confidence in everybody here and the people that we are going to have here. Volunteer Help the coach manage this team. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. Everytime you can affect people, its like an adrenaline shot.. Its so rewarding what we deal with. He will get an extension to his contract of $13,068.60 as a 12-month employee. He was good. Burnet Jerod Rye stepped down after two seasons and a 10-11 record at the District. Coach: Todd Thompson. 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. Hes a five-star rated prospect and the No. And if when that actually comes to fruition? Later, the same call was made on Bullock. Eason is at Clemson now. Thompson Football Staff Players (118) Staff (3) Help the team get started! "Most of the kids growing up here, most of them aspire to play for Auburn; it's their hometown,"Etheredge said. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Alabaster City Schools approved Freeman as the new head football coach at Thompson on Friday. The Crimson Tide, who have the No. Theyve already landed two blue-chip recruits from Thompson in the 2022 class, and they have eyes on two more in 2023. Alabama has more in its backyard than other traditionally talent-rich SEC states, including Louisiana and Georgia. Thompson figured his freshman season was a success, but he knew he could be better. Auburns top signee in the 2022 class was Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard, a flipped commitment from Alabama. 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. Anderson set the state's all-time record for career victories earlier this season. 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. She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. "I grew up right down the road from Alabaster," Freeman said. 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. But that foundation is there. 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. Ganus was part of a Thompson coaching staff that has won three straight 7A state championships from 2019-2021. electronic communication and community service. 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. Part of it, Thompson admits, was residue from the game of college recruiting. This will be Ganuss first head coaching position. In Freemans first two seasons, Thompson finished with a 5-5 record. 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.. Thompson was beside himself. 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. Now, theyre recruiting the freakish athlete. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 4) are both top-25 prospects in the country. Harsin's son plays for Auburn High. Its very much a blue-collar, working-class community. The Warriors are the pride of the community, and why wouldnt they be? 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. Highland Home coach Will Pouncey hasnt seen Harsin visit, but he said Auburns assistants have had consistent contact. Once that first game came and everything was so quick and easy, I was just (snaps fingers), Yeah, I can do this.. The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. The Toros defeated McAdory to claim their second state championship in three years with a 14-1 record. On the other hand, Vigor High School coach John McKenzie thinks Mobile is often overlooked by recruiters. Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media There is no lack of challenge or ego in the region. 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. 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. Some names on that C.C. Its miracle win to bring another state. But everybody is just on hold with a lot of these very good high school players. He even led the team with 2.7 steals for a squad that went from six wins the year before to 17. We weren't able to find anything that matched your search criteria. 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. The Tigers' first 2023 commit is also from Auburn High: four-star offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner. New Auburn defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh has already been around at Highland Home, where defensive end Keldric Faulk is a top-100 recruit who attended Auburns recent junior day. 19) in over a decade. Hes been involved in multiple sports arenas as far as coaching goes, but hes also shown success in athletic administration. Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. The biggest thing was: Was my wife going to move? He began at Thompson in the fall of 2015. Baker said a player of Thompsons level likely wouldve already been scooped up in the past. Floyd was approved to receive $120,000 per year in annual compensation. . 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). This fall, the Warriors completed a 9-1 regular season and are slated to start the state playoffs Friday against Florence. 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.