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. To me it made a lot of sense. "I think every team wants to win. A new barbecue restaurant in Kannapolis is taking shape. Thompson graduated in 1962 from Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas and went on to play at Louisiana College. He helped the Vikings win 30 games for the second year in a row. I said, Im going to go get it. Thompson hadnt been particularly relevant before Freemans arrival, which is why the Warriors sudden emergence has ruffled some feathers. He has his second chance, but his recruiting remains an urgent issue. That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. Valid CPR and First Aid, TB Test, Fingerprint Process, NFHS online coaching certificates; Heat Illness Prevention. So, again, the question must be answered: How did a team that went 0-10 before Freemans arrival and hadnt had a winning season since 2006 turn into a showcase national program? Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. 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. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. Theyve probably done the best job as far as being seen; Hes been here multiple times, coach Marcus Gardner said. Freeman's decision . But in middle school is also when Thompsons love for the game took its first arrow. Please try a new search. Tweets & replies. You have to build on the foundation that was set, he said. She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. And it was Bethel who introduced him to the Vertimax, a machine designed to improve jumping ability. I cant wait to see him play next year. Harsin has a golden opportunity to rebound: The upcoming 2023 talent pool in Alabama is the states deepest and most top-heavy of this century. Griffin MiddleSchool team in seventh and eighth grade. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. Two of those four, edge rusher Jeremiah Alexander and cornerback Trequon Fegans, are verbally committed to Alabama in the class of 2022. There he won consecutive state championships in 2012 and 2013. Here's an updated ranking of how Class 7A, Region 3's salary structure adds up: The salary data isn't everything. Well, thats going to be some moment. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. And Woods is a five-star 2023 defensive lineman who has programs all over the country begging for his services, too. Position: Coach - JV Football - Davis Senior High School, July-November 2023, $3,366.00/season. 1 and No. Reed made such a positiveimpact that the Auburn alum was promoted this week to director of recruiting relations, adding to Harsin's arsenal. Suddenly, the window rolled down and a man called out, Horton! The board approved him through a solitary personnel action. His grandma, of course, will be with his grandpa, his mother and his uncle cheering Thompson on, hopefully for the next two weekends. The Tigers' first 2023 commit is also from Auburn High: four-star offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner. Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football schedule released. Brown, Newsome announces retirement as coach, C. 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In 2009, Freeman accepted the head coaching position at Gulf Shores High School. Coach: Todd Thompson. 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. Follow him on Twitter for the latest high school cool across Alabama. 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. Bowie Football Coaching Staff. That tough style of play, a hard-nosed defensive mindset, has an aligning charm with the city of Alabaster. 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? Simpson spent the previous two years coaching the Eagles after taking over for Andrew Zow ahead of the 2019 season. But Johnson was confused that we just signed three defensive players to major universities, and only one of them had an Auburn offer. (Two went to Clemson; the other to Tennessee.) 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. (Photo of Jeremiah Alexander: Michael Wade / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). He was later released and eventually joined the Thompson coaching staff, coaching linebackers. Eason is at Clemson now. Our offense will be spread, tempo. Now, reaching the 30-win plateau -- in ONE season is the standard. The fact that neither Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson are among the three highest-paid coaches in their own region is surprising. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. Coach Freeman led the Rebels to four State Championships in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Matt Jackson High School Teacher/ Head Men's Basketball & Cross Country Coach. "global": { . Tell us who the coach is Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. Success is here.". 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. Coach Freeman and Thompson football have had a lot of positive impact. 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. Thompson dominated the Alabama high school football scene throughout 2020, posting a 13-0 record with an average margin of victory of 29 points per game. It was a chance, but we knew it would be risky because we were in a great job in a great place. Harsin's son plays for Auburn High. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school. "We are going to make Friday night special," Freeman said. When we are able to win and we want to win, then we are going to win.". Thompson has won back-to-back state championships in the states highest classification and is a prime contender for another this season. This will be Ganuss first head coaching position. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, Alabaster is known for its industry and the minerals it mines. "He asked me if I wanted to get . The speculation, the expectations from others took its toll, even on the normally unflappable Thompson, who admits he had a tendency to internalize his emotions. And she could see right through him. 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. Ed Rigby out of Pike Road: Page: of 4: Topic : Hes ranked No. High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . It was 1987 when he took the reins of the Thompson Middle School team in Newport. 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. Freeman was also the coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons. Theyve got a great group of young players coming back.. 6 recruits in the states 2023 class attend Carver: defensive lineman James Smith and edge Jaquavious Russaw. People were telling me, You need to transfer. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting He even referenced the model set by former Cox Mill star Wendell Moore Jr., who led the Chargers to back-to-back state titles before going on to shine at Duke and become the first Cabarrus County-bred athlete to be chosen in the NBA Draft. Higgins was struck by a new coach trying to learn and improve while maintaining his recruiting principles. That now makes him the highest-paid coach in Alabama high school football. 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. Thompson was a critical reason the Vikings went unbeaten in the South Piedmont 3A Conference for the third year in a row. He moved on to Gulf Shores in 2009. Alexander is locked in with the Crimson Tide for the second time. I watched him in the Gadsden City game. You trust your evaluation of kids. I was always that guy growing up that you could negative motivate me. The Advertiser spoke to 14 Alabama high school coaches about how Auburn has recruited their programs. Itll be an RPO, air-raid type system so we do need somebody that can spit the ball out and thats something well have to find in the program or in the hallways.. If were being honest, its going to be hard to get multiple kids against Georgia or Alabama, Johnson said. In the four years before Thompson and Bullock got to campus, the Vikings won a total of 33 games. Between 2001 and 2007 his teams went 40-1 in region play and 17-3 in the playoffs. Thompson High School Head Football Coach Mark Freeman is the face of the Thompson Warriors, the 3-time defending Class 7A State Champions. 11 in the 247Sports Composite and already stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. That would probably be one of my biggest accomplishments no matter if its winning a state championship or scoring 1,000 points. No passion missing; it burns like hot fish grease in Thompson, and his coach loves the way he is. I believe all the state schools beside (Alabama) and Tuskegee University can do a better job with in-state recruiting. "Most of the kids growing up here, most of them aspire to play for Auburn; it's their hometown,"Etheredge said. The Warriors havent won as many as 10 games in a season since 1987. Everytime you can affect people, its like an adrenaline shot.. It's the second time during the three-peat that Thompson has defeated the Red Devils (13-1) in the championship game. His teams were also state championship runner-ups in 2001 and 2005. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. Freeman will be well-compensated for his efforts. Ive just been working like crazy since then. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. That facility will also come with a new football stadium. The only time Johnson had met Harsin was during a FaceTime with Etheridge, during which the assistant coach briefly put Harsin on the phone. How can we make Moody more successful. WVUA 23 is a competitive professional commercial television, Paul Bryant's McKanstry signs with Independence CC football, Gordo High School celebrates 2023 signing class, Former Hillcrest standout Brandon Bishop announces transfer to Liberty, Paul Bryant football introduces new head coach, Tuesday afternoon crash victim identified, Soldier, poet, or king? After graduation, he coached at various high schools. 0. My uncle was a football star here, so carrying on the tradition was pretty dope, Thompson. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. 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. Published 3:43 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2021. You know Peter is going to be back there somewhere. The Alabaster City Schools website includes a tagline in cursive script that reads "Champions of our Future" on every page. 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. According to the 247Sports Composite, the last time 11 top-200 recruits called Alabama home was 2008. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. Sure, its great. He was good. Visit our website for info. The Warriors went 5-5 in each of his first two seasons in 2015 and 2016. C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: Central Cabarrus Thompson fulfilling his promise in more ways than one. Its so rewarding what we deal with. 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. Highland Home coach Will Pouncey hasnt seen Harsin visit, but he said Auburns assistants have had consistent contact. Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. 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. In a way, I was kind of alarmed. He even led the team with 2.7 steals for a squad that went from six wins the year before to 17. 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. And you sort of follow it, the top 70, 80, 90 kids end up going D-II and whatnot. He will also serve a dual role as the system athletic director for Alabaster City Schools. Its miracle win to bring another state. Hes built similarly to former Tide outside linebacker Ryan Anderson. Hey, what are your thoughts on this player? field59.ipo = { Thomson's stats have been entered for the 32-27 win vs. Fitzgerald on 12/9/2022 12:00 PM. How tall was Tommy Thompson? Watch this highlight video of the Thomson (GA) football team in its game Recap: Thomson vs. Westside 2022 on Nov 3, 2022. 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. I kind of fell out of love with the game, Thompson admits as he sits in Central Cabarrus empty auxiliary gym earlier this year. But everybody is just on hold with a lot of these very good high school players. He had been battling bone cancer, but is believed to have succumbed to complications from COVID-19. 1 recruit in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.