1 and No. He will get an extension to his contract of $13,068.60 as a 12-month employee. They have reached the Class 7A State Championship Game each of the past four years and have captured three consecutive years. Jaidens a very talented player, Baker said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Shortly after that meeting ended, the new coach spoke about the challenges and opportunity of taking over at Moody. Moore heard those private-school whispers, too. I always said why is Thompson never getting over the hill?. Posted - 02/28/2023 : 12:35:46 . I look forward to things to come. 2 class in 2022, are reaping the benefit of another nationally relevant football program in their backyard. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. He ran from the other side of the field all the way to our sideline and tackled the quarterback, Fegans said. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "This is going to be a great day for our kids,' Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. Coming back here and kind of turning this program around was a big thing for me.. Join to view profile Thompson Valley High School. Win the battle in my backyard at all costs. And you sort of follow it, the top 70, 80, 90 kids end up going D-II and whatnot. The challenge facing Harsin as he enters his second season at Auburn is making inroads while his program is geographically sandwiched between Nick Sabans established Alabama machine and Kirby Smarts emerging Georgia juggernaut. Theyve already landed two blue-chip recruits from Thompson in the 2022 class, and they have eyes on two more in 2023. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. 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. Hes been involved in multiple sports arenas as far as coaching goes, but hes also shown success in athletic administration. Eason is at Clemson now. In 2023, the state has 11 of the top 100. Published 3:43 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2021. After that, everything just clicked. ", Before Wade Waldrop became Hoovers coach recently, he coached five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley at Florence. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The most accomplished high school football coach in Southeast Texas is calling it a career. 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. The great thing is that Thompson has found peace in it all. Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. Jeff Sentell covers prep sports for AL.com and the Birmingham News. var field59 = field59 || {}; Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. Its kind of like a letdown, you know, because everybody has all these big expectations. 74 overall in the 2023 class. Hoover once had an infamous television show, Two-A-Days, document its football program and has won 13 state championships. And Faulkner, direct as they come, wanted answers. 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. I got outta there as fast as my Nissan with the lawn mower engine could go. High school coaches who have been visited by Harsin in the last year have appreciated his honesty and his straightforward approach. Youre going to be writing about him.. The towns high school, Thompson, isnt like many modern schools with similar high-profile football programs, like IMG Academy, Mater Dei or any number of private schools that annually compete for championships and pump out Division I prospects. Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : Katy ISD. Freeman is a large part of the answer to his own question. His seven year record in baseball was 116-70, with two Final 4 appearances. Former Auburn defensive line coach Nick Eason visited Eufaula in December, but he is the only Auburn staffer Rigby has seen at the school. Email Rylan Gerber. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue Devils in a private team meeting at 11:30 a.m. We weren't able to find anything that matched your search criteria. It was 1987 when he took the reins of the Thompson Middle School team in Newport. Ive lived my life thinking I can (out)work people. Not yet 6 feet, Thompson proved he belonged with the big boys, the varsity. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Some names on that C.C. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. But after realizing that I wanted it for myself, then things just started to pick up.. Thompson figured his freshman season was a success, but he knew he could be better. But it wasnt an, Absolutely, yeah, Ill do it. But then I started thinking about it. What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. 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. 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. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue . The fact that neither Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson are among the three highest-paid coaches in their own region is surprising. 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. Eads appreciated Harsin asking for ideas and advice about organizing a coaching clinic. Freeman was also the coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons. 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. Jeff Ables. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. Website. The others welcomed him because he could play and was a great teammate. Harsin's son plays for Auburn High. 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. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A. One region athletic director told AL.com earlier this year that he feared an "arms race" might be upon us. 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. Both are top-40 nationally. Jaiden Thompson looks to make a pass during his freshman season. Football. And, yes, I went on to write about him. That didnt take away that occasional feeling that comes with a lost love, though, or one you feel is slipping away. 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. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. Now, reaching the 30-win plateau -- in ONE season is the standard. Theyre not showing up for meetings on time. And (Auburns coaches) really dont have any tolerance for that in the program. He has a lot of rich athletic administration experience, Thompson Principal Dr. Wesley Hester said. Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers said Freeman's first day on the job will be Jan. 5, 2015. The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. And if when that actually comes to fruition? Auburns staffparticularly Etheridge and director of high school relations Brendt Bedsole, a former high school coachhas impressed high school coaches. Theres no tearing stuff down. He wants to keep the promise he made to his grandma before the season: no distractions, nothing but his best as he strives for his best. He and AU defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge are close friends. And she could see right through him. I knew he had a plane to get to, and I kept trying to hurry him out, Eads said. I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. He won 15 of his 17 playoff games with the Toros. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football. Lakeshore announces Danny Thompson as the school's new head football coach He was the offensive coordinator at Middleville High School since 2018. I have a great team, a great family, and we could actually win this whole thing.. They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. Weve got some guys here that have got to get on board. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. electronic communication and community service. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. 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. In the blackness of night, a car rolled up beside me. Hoover also puts out quality Division I players. 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. And Woods is a five-star 2023 defensive lineman who has programs all over the country begging for his services, too. When I heard that, I said, Yeah, Ive got to do something about this, he said. It was late January, and Harsin and receivers coach Eric Kiesau were visiting Mars Hill Bible School in Florence. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. 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. THS Athletics. Jaiden Thompson poses with a plaque honoring him as the SPC Player of the Year after the Vikings won the conference tournament championship last month. Eason was also frequently praised for his recruiting. 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). Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. It was a chance, but we knew it would be risky because we were in a great job in a great place. The average coach in the region now makes $98,911 per year and the coaches now make a combined $791,288 in annual salary. 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? Thomson's stats have been entered for the 56-38 win @ South Atlanta on 11/25/2022 6:00 PM. Join us in the forums to submit corrections and new information. For 2023, the only states with more top-100 recruits are Florida and Texas. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. I think the wrestling and how I use my hands contributed to the player I am today.. Whatever that it is and wherever it takes him. 3) is the one you need to watch! Also, for the past three seasons, Thompson has been the Vikings leading scorer, with each campaign ending with the SPC titles. That facility will also come with a new football stadium. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. The biggest thing was: Was my wife going to move? I grew up playing a lot of sports. 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. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Especially in the Mobile area, McKenzie wrote in a text. The only time Johnson had met Harsin was during a FaceTime with Etheridge, during which the assistant coach briefly put Harsin on the phone. Former star Marlon Humphrey was an All-American at Alabama and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. I was always that guy growing up that you could negative motivate me. Ganus played high school ball at Chelsea and played linebacker at UAB prior to the closure of the Blazers football program in 2014. Niblett has led Hoover to three straight state titles in the AHSAA's largest classification. 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. One Division-I school, Western Carolina, had confirmed as much when it offered him a scholarship after his freshman season. 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. 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. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. "I grew up right down the road from Alabaster," Freeman said. 1 player in the state in the 247Sports Composite. 7 recruits played at Thompson. There are now five. Where I went to high school was very similar in terms of enrollment, in terms of size and size of the community and facilities. 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. Some The 27 . Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. How do you go from that 6-4 year and what ways can I get our kids over that hump. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. Please try a new search. Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. 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. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. One of Harsin's strategies in that regard has been emphasis onlocal recruiting. Thomson 56. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. 17 nationally, and his teammates are often wowed by his skills. Highland Home has been a revolving door of head coaches visiting Faulk, including Tennessees Josh Heupel. Thats huge. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. And thats OK. Be your own program and stop missing out on really good Alabama kids because Alabama didn't offer them.. When Etheridge visited in January, it was the first and only time we have communicated with Auburn. Vigor has two rising talents: junior defensive end Michael Towner and freshman offensive lineman Micha Debose. Coach Freeman led the Rebels to four State Championships in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. He also coached softball, powerlifting, girls and boys basketball. Brandon Graves Elementary Teacher / Head Baseball & Asst Football Coach. Jesuit High School football is off to a good start this fall, with three wins in three games. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. That tough style of play, a hard-nosed defensive mindset, has an aligning charm with the city of Alabaster. But by the fall of his senior season, there he was in that preseason game, with his grandma staring from the bleachers, disappointed but mostly concerned. Forced to reckon with established powers, what has Harsin done to make recruiting inroads in his first 14 months? I think that you trust your evaluation, and you don't put too much emphasis on the stars. You can cancel at any time. Then theres Mitchell, a five-star 2023 recruit whos No. Following almost every activity whether its a win, a loss, or a practice you see Thompsons signature Outworkem All expression on social media. She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. Theyve probably done the best job as far as being seen; Hes been here multiple times, coach Marcus Gardner said. "It's not a hard place to recruit to. I wrestled, I played baseball. 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. When we are able to win and we want to win, then we are going to win.". And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those who have taken notice. Its going to be scary.. Central has played for the 7A championship in three of the last four seasons, beating Thompson 52-7 in 2018 . Please subscribe to keep reading. 90 nationally. I can work as good as anybody, Freeman said. New Orleans (La.) Freeman resigned from his position after four very successful years at Spanish Fort and the Alabaster board quickly moved to approve that personnel action with no discussion. Position: Coach - JV Football - Davis Senior High School, July-November 2023, $3,366.00/season. Later, the same call was made on Bullock. I can do this my way and actually go to a good college like Wendell did. 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. But that foundation is there. 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.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital Medical Staff,
Is Barium Cyanide Acidic Or Basic,
George Hanlon Obituary,
Articles T