Anderson set the state's all-time record for career victories earlier this season. Jesuit head coach Matt Thompson was honored Thursday (Sept. 17) at One Buc Place as the Bucs' "Coach of the Week." Thompson earned the honor following Jesuit . DS David Simone Team 8-3 - Language Arts. With one of the states largest high school athletic programs at the Class 7A level, Hester said it would be beneficial for the school in many ways. Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. var field59 = field59 || {}; There he won consecutive state championships in 2012 and 2013. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. She said, What are you going to do about it?. They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. Freeman landed his first head football coaching job at Bessemer Academy in 1998. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. I grew up right down the road from Alabaster, Freeman said. "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" Coaches are paid a stipend at the end of the season for their work. All rights reserved. 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. (Jeff Sentell/jsentell@al.com). Where I went to high school was very similar in terms of enrollment, in terms of size and size of the community and facilities. Freeman had a tremendous run in the private school ranks in Alabama Independent School Association football at Bessemer Academy before he moved to Alabama High School Athletic Association public football. Theres no tearing stuff down. But later, Western Carolina pulled back its offer because of a coaching change. His record at Thompson in nine seasons is 83-18 and 21-2 in the playoffs. 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. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Search. You cant describe him, Alexander said. The school board meeting to welcome Freeman has swelled to near capacity some 15 minutes before the board meeting. Griffin starting five might sound familiar to Central Cabarrus fans: Gavin Bullock, Adriel Miller, Eli Ford and Micah Murray. His Rebels were also runner-up in 2001 and 2005. Youll find exponentially more 4X4 pickup trucks than Mercedes-Benz. He began at Thompson in the fall of 2015. 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. Ronald H. Thompson (born c. 1944) is a former American football coach. In Freemans first two seasons, Thompson finished with a 5-5 record. 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? Photographer Kenny Grimes has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final) containing 104 photos. Watch this highlight video of the Thomson (GA) football team in its game Recap: Thomson vs. Westside 2022 on Nov 3, 2022. Id say Im athletic, Alexander said. He spent a lot of time here talking, and he didn't have to do that. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. Wendell stayed at public school, he stayed grounded, he stayed with Cox Mill for four years. Eason is at Clemson now. Email Brandon Graves. Harsin hadnt been to Thompson. Being able to keep that promise for my grandma? 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. He will also serve a dual role as the system athletic director for Alabaster City Schools. I can do this my way and actually go to a good college like Wendell did. No passion missing; it burns like hot fish grease in Thompson, and his coach loves the way he is. Niblett has led Hoover to three straight state titles in the AHSAA's largest classification. 3,620 Followers. All those clichs about the best player on the team being the hardest worker on the team, yada, yada, yada? He coached for almost 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. 74 overall in the 2023 class. Mostly, though, Thompson nurses his gift in rigorous practice sessions, has fun with his teammates, shows up on game night, and fills up a box score as the Vikings put opponents out of their misery. Those were the things that helped bring him solace as he was dealing with his frustration. This was what hed wanted for most of his basketball life: to don that Green and Gold. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. Coach Freeman and Thompson football have had a lot of positive impact. That both programs are in the Birmingham metro area is a feather in the cap for the Crimson Tide football program, which is just a short ride away. But that foundation is there. 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. I was always that guy growing up that you could negative motivate me. Congratulations to Jahkiaus Jones, Jaquan Hart, Jordan Jones and Jontavis Curry for being selected the Thomson players of the game. 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. Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. The biggest thing was: Was my wife going to move? Harsins first signing class was Auburns lowest-ranked (No. Thompsons feelings certainly werent about a lack of love for the Vikings. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. Thompsons James L Simmons Stadium underwent a facelift for the 2014 season with press box improvements and new artificial turf. 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. That facility will also come with a new football stadium. During the 90-minute office conversation with Higgins, Harsin discussed how hes trying to learn more about Southern culture and the kids here. Johnson calls former Auburn assistant Travis Williams probably the best freaking recruiter Ive ever been around.. Carver High School in Montgomery. Forced to reckon with established powers, what has Harsin done to make recruiting inroads in his first 14 months? 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. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. Even still, Thompson didnt seem like a place to win big. There arent many words for that, Thompson says. It was a chance, but we knew it would be risky because we were in a great job in a great place. 0. Email Steven Hoffmann. And the results speak for itself: over the past five seasons, the Warriors are 62-6. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. This family, after all, has a close bond. Job Summary. Now Thompson is dunking with ease in games and soaring above the crowd for rebounds. The answer to that is Freeman. Website. . 0:36. Calera High School is searching for a new head football coach after Trey Simpson, above, joined Thompson High School in an athletic administration role. While Ganus went undrafted in 2016, he signed a free agent deal with the NFLs Minnesota Vikings in 2016. 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. They do so with a collection of talent on defense that stirs the imagination. I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. In a way, I was kind of alarmed. The two lowest-paid coaches on this salary scale both led their teams to the playoffs in 2014. It's a recurring theme: Seven of the 14 coaches who spoke with the Advertiser hadnot met Harsin. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. resigned from his position after four very successful years, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Thompson . Funny how hard work works. Ty Branyon. He has built a powerhouse at Thompson winning four state championships in a row. When I heard that, I said, Yeah, Ive got to do something about this, he said. Alabama has more in its backyard than other traditionally talent-rich SEC states, including Louisiana and Georgia. 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. High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . Hes been involved in multiple sports arenas as far as coaching goes, but hes also shown success in athletic administration. Freeman was also the coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons. On 12/2, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against Appling County (Baxley, GA) by a score of 20-14. The Toros defeated McAdory to claim their second state championship in three years with a 14-1 record. His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. Freeman, 55, told AL.com at the meeting that he hadn't even seen his contract or knew his final salary number. Photographer Cecil Copeland has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship) containing 176 photos. Now, theyre recruiting the freakish athlete. You have to build on the foundation that was set, he said. I really dont. 27. I wrestled, I played baseball. Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History. Jesuit High School football is off to a good start this fall, with three wins in three games. The 2019 season began a streak of three consecutive state football championships for Thompson High School. 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. But as his senior season dawned, it just wasnt there anymore, that passion. Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : No, we got a great person, Vickers said. Well, thats going to be some moment. Jeff Ables. On 12/9, the Thomson varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Fitzgerald (GA) by a score of 32-27. He backed off that pledge seven months later and decommitted. Griffin Middle School squad. 1 and No. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Knowledge of sport. Thompson took another step forward in 2018, advancing to the Class 7A State Championship Game. 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. He was THAT good. Playing ball was what hed done for so long, he almost was on auto-pilot out there. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Between 2001 and 2007 his teams went 40-1 in region play and 17-3 in the playoffs. 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? Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. But he acknowledges that the dynamics have changed since he was leading the Indians courting prospects. Actually, me and Gavin have been talking about this since we were little boys. It took Freeman a couple of years to get it going. I think he wanted to have what he had at Boise, at Auburn, Higgins said. The Class 7A team hasnt been to the playoffs since going 8-4 in 2006. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Ben Thompson, an assistant on Sam London's staff the last two seasons, will be the Red Tornado's . 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. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . 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 is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. Job Summary. If you told me, You cant do this. Then Im going to go in and do my best, Freeman said. These days, Thompsons love for the game cant be questioned. I knew he had a plane to get to, and I kept trying to hurry him out, Eads said. Coach Keith Etheredge has enjoyed watching Harsin develop relationships at the school. It pisses us off, Alexander said. Please try a new search. That both teams are so talented and competitive makes Alabama high school football better. His teams were also state championship runner-ups in 2001 and 2005. C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus Thompson fulfilling his promise in more ways than one. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. Theyre going to find guys who want to do all those things.. He has a lot of rich athletic administration experience, Thompson Principal Dr. Wesley Hester said. He's also not letting ALS take away his ability to coach, even if he's had to rely on . The No. It's the second time during the three-peat that Thompson has defeated the Red Devils (13-1) in the championship game. Two of those four, edge rusher Jeremiah Alexander and cornerback Trequon Fegans, are verbally committed to Alabama in the class of 2022. "It's not a hard place to recruit to. The great thing is that Thompson has found peace in it all. "I think every team wants to win. Volunteer Help the coach manage this team. Join to view profile Thompson Valley High School. Former star Marlon Humphrey was an All-American at Alabama and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. His record at Thompson in nine seasons is 83-18 and 21-2 in the playoffs. Thatd be like a tear-jerker moment. I think you get the inspiration, its like an injection of energy. Working with him before, it was a fortunate opportunity for us to have this chance to bring him on board.. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. 2 class in 2022, are reaping the benefit of another nationally relevant football program in their backyard. He also served as the Athletic Director at Bessemer Academy. When the recruiting contact period started last fall, Harsin was the first college coach to bring his full recruiting staff to the school. Then theres Mitchell, a five-star 2023 recruit whos No. The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) - Erik Thompson was born to be a football coach. Jaiden Thompson (3) leaving it all on the court. Some Copyright All rights reserved. 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. Freeman is a large part of the answer to his own question. Tell us who the coach is Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. So if you can do it at that level, you can do it at an SEC level.. Tweets & replies. And while some schools showed interest in him taking his talents there, the recruiting slowed down, no matter how much he was thrashing his competition on a team that was one of the best around. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. Things started off good for him the summer before his freshman year at Central. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. The Crimson Tide, who have the No. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Or, shoot, even making it to the NBA. The quintet started for the C.C. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. Mar 2, 2023 Updated 27 min ago. 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.
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