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. Thompson Football Documents. (Hurley recently committed to Alabama.). Team 8-4 - Language Arts, AVID. Mark Freeman attended Bessemer Academy and graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Coach Freemans football program has a trademark phrase. Email Brandon Graves. Pinson Valley often has talent (see: Bo Nix). He was later released and eventually joined the Thompson coaching staff, coaching linebackers. And Woods is a five-star 2023 defensive lineman who has programs all over the country begging for his services, too. 0. Email Rylan Gerber. 4) are both top-25 prospects in the country. Central has played for the 7A championship in three of the last four seasons, beating Thompson 52-7 in 2018 . Theyve probably done the best job as far as being seen; Hes been here multiple times, coach Marcus Gardner said. Coach Freeman and Thompson football have had a lot of positive impact. Eason is at Clemson now. And save for his first year with Concord Parks and Rec, when he scored a basket in the opposing teams hoop, he was good, too. Government & Public Administration: Air Force JROTC. Thompson has won back-to-back state championships in the states highest classification and is a prime contender for another this season. In 2023, the state has 11 of the top 100. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. I mean, if you come and play hard, its hard to get on a kid. Auburn is now making a push for four-star 2023 running back Jeremiah Cobb from the school. In a way, I was kind of alarmed. There arent many words for that, Thompson says. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. 3) is the one you need to watch! If you look at where Jaiden is ranked in his class, in the top 30 or so in North Carolina, normally the top 50 or 60 kids end up with a Division I offer, Baker explained. Whether or not thats a serious concern varies depending on the coach. The Warriors (13-1) captured a third straight 7A championship while making a fourth straight Super 7 appearance. Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. After National Signing Day, Harsin hadnot visited Montgomery Catholic, which is 50 minutes from Auburn. And for that to actually happen? Thatd be like a tear-jerker moment. "It is going to be special.". He helped the Vikings win 30 games for the second year in a row. Fegans is among Alabamas latest commitments, going public last month after decommitting from Miami. With three five-stars prospects and a four-star, Thompson has put together a defense that is nearly impenetrable. Words wouldnt be able to explain that moment.. He has a lot of rich athletic administration experience, Thompson Principal Dr. Wesley Hester said. The Freeman and Floyd hirings have signaled a new era in Alabama high school football. Thompson . 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. Brown, Newsome announces retirement as coach, C. 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Hoover has faced it plenty over the years. I grew up right down the road from Alabaster, Freeman said. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue Devils in a private team meeting at 11:30 a.m. I think you get the inspiration, its like an injection of energy. His overall record in 16 years of coaching is 164-37, including a 30-8 playoff mark. To the benefit of high school football in the state, theyve stayed. The school board meeting to welcome Freeman has swelled to near capacity some 15 minutes before the board meeting. "Most of the kids growing up here, most of them aspire to play for Auburn; it's their hometown,"Etheredge said. 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. But weve got an outstanding individual that loves our kids and loves our parents, loves our school system.. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . 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. Thompson went 0-10 last year and 7-23 in three years under Mike Montgomery. Part of it, Thompson admits, was residue from the game of college recruiting. 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. I really dont. The additions come as KFC recently removed some menu items, including wings, popcorn chicken and cookies, to make room for new additions. He spent a lot of time here talking, and he didn't have to do that. Hes built similarly to former Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. Its kind of like a letdown, you know, because everybody has all these big expectations. Job Summary. 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. In the blackness of night, a car rolled up beside me. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. There have been a ton of (recruiters) whove seen him. 7 recruits played at Thompson. 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. Its a region that includes Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain, Gadsden City and Tuscaloosa County. Jaiden Thompson averaged nearly 20 points per game thisseason. How do those salary ranges compare to the rest of Class 7A, Region 3? It gives a kid a lot of fire.. Calera High School is searching for a new head football coach after Trey Simpson, above, joined Thompson High School in an athletic administration role. Records reflect scores in our database. Position: Football Coaches, San Rafael High School 23/24 Season. Thompson, 52, was in his fourth season as head coach at Mira Mesa High, his alma mater. When I was principal at Montevallo, I appointed him as athletic director there because of his potential.. Freeman went 50-7 in four years with the Toros, leading them to state championships in 2012 and 2013. Its been fun to watch his shoulders broaden, his game become more dominant, and his leaping ability take on an Olympic high jumper-like quality. Im just trying to go MY way. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Buildings are filling up. 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. Auburn High School coach Keith Etheredge heard Harsin say it: You may not have all those stars, but Ive seen you play. 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. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. Once that first game came and everything was so quick and easy, I was just (snaps fingers), Yeah, I can do this.. Funny how hard work works. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. 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. Mark Freeman is the new head football coach at Thompson High School. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Success is here.". 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. Thompson was approved as Spring Grove's new coach Monday night. He wanted to change the narrative.. That now makes him the highest-paid coach in Alabama high school football. Its allowed five points per game, and 24 of those came in the regular-season finale a loss to nearby power Hoover. Jaiden Thompson (3) is introduced before a Central Cabarrus game. We have chosen to publish this I have a great team, a great family, and we could actually win this whole thing.. Plus, Thompson had obviously inherited at least part of his talent from his father, Andricko Thompson, who was a good basketball player in his native Shelby. But after realizing that I wanted it for myself, then things just started to pick up.. So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. It had been to the playoffs only three times this century, even though a team only needs to finish in the top four in its region to qualify. Johnson calls former Auburn assistant Travis Williams probably the best freaking recruiter Ive ever been around.. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. "Rogers (High) AD Ricky Hole was close friends with my dad," MacDonald said.