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. 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. Thompson was beside himself. He was later released and eventually joined the Thompson coaching staff, coaching linebackers. 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 like, Yeah, I can really do this, if I put my mind to it, Thompson recalled. Those were the things that helped bring him solace as he was dealing with his frustration. He also served as the Athletic Director at Bessemer Academy. I kind of fell out of love with the game, Thompson admits as he sits in Central Cabarrus empty auxiliary gym earlier this year. Shelby County Schools is currently looking to fill the head coaching position at Calera High School. 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. Friday afternoon drive time on I-65 was the cause for that. Official Twitter Page of Thompson High School Athletics. He's also not letting ALS take away his ability to coach, even if he's had to rely on . The others welcomed him because he could play and was a great teammate. Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. Posted - 02/28/2023 : 12:35:46 . Its a sort of throwback team, considering how offense is so valued in the game of football today. He knew it, not in a cocky way. He flirted with a college coaching job offer before Thompson entered the picture. Before that, I couldnt even get the rim, Thompson said. Jaiden Thompson (3) busts a move to get to the basket. 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 most accomplished high school football coach in Southeast Texas is calling it a career. "I want everyone else to know we are going to be a major player in everything we do for our children," Vickers said. He may make a turnover or take a bad shot or something like that, but with him, you dont have to coach effort.. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. One Division-I school, Western Carolina, had confirmed as much when it offered him a scholarship after his freshman season. Baker said a player of Thompsons level likely wouldve already been scooped up in the past. Working with him before, it was a fortunate opportunity for us to have this chance to bring him on board.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. Freeman ran late for his big introduction. A new barbecue restaurant in Kannapolis is taking shape. From there, he was recruited to the University of Georgia. Man died Wednesday. These coaches have done a great job of laying that foundation. 4) are both top-25 prospects in the country. He has built a powerhouse at Thompson winning four state championships in a row. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. Then theres Mitchell, a five-star 2023 recruit whos No. Another pair of seniors, linebacker Jax Van Zandt and safety Trevor Hardy, are committed to North Texas and Memphis, respectively. Those who have met Harsin and spent time with him were left with a positive impression of an honest, down-to-business recruiter. 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. 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. But he acknowledges that the dynamics have changed since he was leading the Indians courting prospects. 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. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. McCaskey has found its football coach for the 2021 season, which is right around the corner. ", Before Wade Waldrop became Hoovers coach recently, he coached five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley at Florence. Thompson had a solid freshman season, putting up 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He wanted to change the narrative.. Records reflect scores in our database. Now, reaching the 30-win plateau -- in ONE season is the standard. The years you dont have players, they dont know your name.. "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. Like us on Facebook Ths Athletics and Follow us on Instagram THS_ATHLETICS. Alabaster City Schools is planning a new high school that should be open in less than three years. Even though none of Shades players had an offer from Auburn during the last recruiting cycle, Harsin was trying to make a visit before getting sidetracked. The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. Another thing that needs context is how hyper competitive Class 7A, Region 3 football is within the state. 56-38 (W) Thomson @ South Atlanta. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. It kind of started in seventh grade, Thompson said. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. 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. You know Peter is going to be back there somewhere. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting Brandon Graves Elementary Teacher / Head Baseball & Asst Football Coach. And you sort of follow it, the top 70, 80, 90 kids end up going D-II and whatnot. Following almost every activity whether its a win, a loss, or a practice you see Thompsons signature Outworkem All expression on social media. I think he wanted to have what he had at Boise, at Auburn, Higgins said. Youre playing Central and Opelika: Tell me what theyve got. OK, I was a lot alarmed. Auburn is now making a push for four-star 2023 running back Jeremiah Cobb from the school. Hes built similarly to former Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. "It is going to be special.". Freeman is a large part of the answer to his own question. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. In the last 20 years, Alabama averaged 4.05 top-100 recruits, 7.05 top-200 and 10.3 top-300. He also coached softball, powerlifting, girls and boys basketball. The difference between the salaries at Hoover and Spain Park are based in education credits for each teacher within the teacher salary. After 90 minutes of talking football, Darrell Higgins couldnt believe Harsin was still in his office. He has built a powerhouse at Thompson winning four state championships in a row. "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" Things started off good for him the summer before his freshman year at Central. Alabama High School Football History Thompson Coaches Thompson Warriors The AHSFHS.org Fan Shop Some records may be incomplete. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. 27. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. I think that you trust your evaluation, and you don't put too much emphasis on the stars. 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. 7 recruits played at Thompson. 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. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. Alabama has more in its backyard than other traditionally talent-rich SEC states, including Louisiana and Georgia. 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. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . Photographer Kenny Grimes has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final) containing 104 photos. Later, the same call was made on Bullock. He was named the leagues best player for the second year in a row. 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.". Thompson paused, realizing that that day had been his moment of clarity. Jaidens a very talented player, Baker said. Sep 17 2015. 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. When Harsin visited Mars Hill, he was targeting three-star offensive lineman Koby Keenum, who playsa position of priority for Auburns 2023 class. The first-year coach Roderick Thompson of Anderson High School has had quite a journey to be a first-year head coach in high school. So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. 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. Eads appreciated Harsin asking for ideas and advice about organizing a coaching clinic. The only problem was that a number of coaches at prominent football schools have not met him. The Warriors havent won as many as 10 games in a season since 1987. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Coach Freeman and Thompson football have had a lot of positive impact. All those clichs about the best player on the team being the hardest worker on the team, yada, yada, yada? It was as long as any college coach had stayed to chat. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. Theres no tearing stuff down. I knew he had a plane to get to, and I kept trying to hurry him out, Eads said. And thats OK. Be your own program and stop missing out on really good Alabama kids because Alabama didn't offer them.. He is now at Westwood; former defensive coordinator Roderick Thompson has been named the interim head coach. I look forward to things to come. (Jeff Sentell/jsentell@al.com). Hey, you played so-and-so, tell me about him., "Those are the guys you develop that relationship with, that when the chips are down, you need a little help, need a little bump, theyll help you out., Rigby said newly-hired Troy coach Jon Sumrall has made it his goal to go visit every high school, to walk through the doors of every high school in Alabama. 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. But it wasnt an, Absolutely, yeah, Ill do it. But then I started thinking about it. The top spot belonged to . On 12/9, the Thomson varsity football team won their neutral playoff game against Fitzgerald (GA) by a score of 32-27. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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.