Alexander is locked in with the Crimson Tide for the second time. This fall, the Warriors completed a 9-1 regular season and are slated to start the state playoffs Friday against Florence. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. 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. He has heard similarly from other Birmingham coaches. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." Wallace was hired in 2018, and went 11-28 overall. When we are able to win and we want to win, then we are going to win.". Freeman also served one year as an assistant at Minor for the 2008 season. This will be Ganuss first head coaching position. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. You couldnt really see it, unless you had Phyllis Anns keen eyes. MOODY Thompson High School co-defensive coordinator Jake Ganus was introduced as the new coach for the Moody Blue Devils on Friday, December 17. That would probably be one of my biggest accomplishments no matter if its winning a state championship or scoring 1,000 points. He ran from the other side of the field all the way to our sideline and tackled the quarterback, Fegans said. Others said the bare minimum is to have made that a top priority by now. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. Gardendale coach Chad Eads is another multi-decade coaching veteran who has seen all kinds of things that I didn't like and things I wish they wouldn't say. But he was impressed with Harsin when he and a few assistants visited recently. Ty Branyon. "I think every team wants to win. 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. . The coaching part of it? Coach Freeman and Thompson football have had a lot of positive impact. But later, Western Carolina pulled back its offer because of a coaching change. McCaskey football tabs assistant Ben Thompson as head coach for 2021 But weve got an outstanding individual that loves our kids and loves our parents, loves our school system.. Eli Mendoza - Assistant Football Coach - Thompson Valley High School Harsins first signing class was Auburns lowest-ranked (No. Our offense will be spread, tempo. According to the 247Sports Composite, the last time 11 top-200 recruits called Alabama home was 2008. 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. We also add a fantastic teacher to our school building. Auburn High School coach Keith Etheredge heard Harsin say it: You may not have all those stars, but Ive seen you play. And she could see right through him. Weve got some guys here that have got to get on board. Freeman resigned from Spanish Fort to accept the head coaching job at Thompson high school near Birmingham. Salary: Tony Gaines Show More Show Less 5 of 93. Thompson and Bullock were among a group that participated in a workout with the team. Calera searching for new football coach after Simpson leaves for Thompson That's very likely to change, but that's where things stand today. I think hed still be sitting there talking if I didnt have to get up and go work my kids out, Higgins said. Experience: 16 years Education: Texas A&M Forced to reckon with established powers, what has Harsin done to make recruiting inroads in his first 14 months? Im trying to set them up for interceptions and PBUs.. That's what Freeman's glowing resume is expected to bring. "It is going to be special.". Brown, Newsome announces retirement as coach, C. JEMAL HORTON COLUMN: A Vikings program thats been great the past 2 years looks ready to take next step, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, A Pig Deal: Cannon Ballers changing the name, Cabarrus Sheriffs Office makes major drug bust with cocaine, fentanyl, cash seized, Bojangles offering fish sandwich during Lent, Concord man sentenced to 10 years for fentanyl and firearm offenses, Elizabeth Holmes gives birth to second child while seeking to further delay imprisonment, BOYS BASKETBALL: Ball doesnt bounce Concord Academys way in NCISAA 3A finals defeat to Greensboro Day, WeBuild buys historic Concord church for affordable housing, mixed use, Friday Five: New brewery, downtown streetscape and Barber-Scotia update. Jaiden Thompson averaged nearly 20 points per game thisseason. During the 90-minute office conversation with Higgins, Harsin discussed how hes trying to learn more about Southern culture and the kids here. Official Twitter Page of Thompson High School Athletics. It would turn out to be the most heavily-attended board meeting for a school system that's still just in its toddler years. 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. us to complete every school. Fegans laughs with a. And, yes, I went on to write about him. In the blackness of night, a car rolled up beside me. Make them your biggest fans.. 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's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. If were being honest, its going to be hard to get multiple kids against Georgia or Alabama, Johnson said. 11 in the 247Sports Composite and already stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. No. 7 Thompson stages miracle comeback to win Alabama 7A title The additions come as KFC recently removed some menu items, including wings, popcorn chicken and cookies, to make room for new additions. We had the opportunity to bring him in here, and he was interested in getting into athletics administration working closely with coach Pitts, Hester said. The No. Main Number 331-228-3100 . Hey, what are your thoughts on this player? 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? That was probably where it was a little frustrating for him that he wasnt able to get it there as quickly as he wanted.. His 2013 team finished 15-0 and won another Class 5A state championship with a win over Muscle Shoals in the title game. Former Auburn defensive line coach Nick Eason visited Eufaula in December, but he is the only Auburn staffer Rigby has seen at the school. I can catch the ball, and if I catch it, Ill probably score. Buildings are filling up. Website. That shows citizens and potential community members that their school's high school football experience will be second to none in the state of Alabama. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. But he knew it. Central Cabarrus coach Jim Baker struggles to find a fault in the 6-foot-1 Thompsons game, but if he had to nick-pick, its that hed like the low-key guard to be more vocal on the floor. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. Its allowed five points per game, and 24 of those came in the regular-season finale a loss to nearby power Hoover. Soccer Shots Sacramento North hiring Youth Soccer Coach in Citrus To the benefit of high school football in the state, theyve stayed. Or, shoot, even making it to the NBA. Coming back here and kind of turning this program around was a big thing for me.. 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. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. The viral TikTok quiz, explained, Tuscaloosa McFarland Chick-fil-A is moving. Thompson Football Staff Players (118) Staff (3) Help the team get started! You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? A number of coaches were baffled that they haven't interacted with Auburn's head coach. Job Summary. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. Truth be told, Freeman and Hoover coach Josh Niblett could be on college coaching staffs if they chose to be. In the past, Auburn has found some of its best talent in Mobile, including Williamson High School cornerback Roger McCreary, a three-star prospect who developed into a first-team All-American. The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. Saturdays game, a highly anticipated rematch of last seasons semifinals, will be played at McDowell High School in Marion at 3 p.m. You might even be able to hear Faulkner yelling words of support for her grandbaby, even in a gym packed with 3,700 other fans. Success is here.". He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting . High School Teacher jobs 25,325 open jobs Building Supervisor jobs 25,132 open jobs . They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. The Advertiser spoke to 14 Alabama high school coaches about how Auburn has recruited their programs. This family, after all, has a close bond. The only time Johnson had met Harsin was during a FaceTime with Etheridge, during which the assistant coach briefly put Harsin on the phone. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. Ty Hulstine: The road home | Local Sports | joplinglobe.com The biggest thing was: Was my wife going to move? That facility will also come with a new football stadium. How do you go from that 6-4 year and what ways can I get our kids over that hump. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. 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. No passion missing; it burns like hot fish grease in Thompson, and his coach loves the way he is. Burnet Jerod Rye stepped down after two seasons and a 10-11 record at the District. Calera High School is searching for a new head football coach after Trey Simpson, above, joined Thompson High School in an athletic administration role. Some 19) in over a decade. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. "It's not a hard place to recruit to. They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. "Some of those kids who didn't have all the stars that (Harsin) brought in are really good players. 5 high school football team via SB Live, was to put its undefeated record on the line against another Birmingham-area program known for. There arent many words for that, Thompson says. MaxPreps is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A, Photos: Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Final), Photos: Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship). 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. That potential was something he took with him to Calera as a baseball coach, athletic director and football coach. 1 and No. His seven year record in baseball was 116-70, with two Final 4 appearances. He was THAT good. Job Summary. Jaiden Thompson (3) busts a move to get to the basket. The most accomplished high school football coach in Southeast Texas is calling it a career. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. He said he had only been given a range in the hiring and interview process. "dfpConfig": { Freeman is a large part of the answer to his own question. The Class 7A team hasnt been to the playoffs since going 8-4 in 2006. On 11/25, the Thomson varsity football team won their away playoff game against South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) by a score of 56-38. Mar 2, 2023 Updated 27 min ago. That's the predominately Birmingham-based region in the Alabama High School Athletic Association's largest playing classification. Thompson smiled as he recalled the encounter and warned, My grandma, she has a way with words. Last years team started 3-2 and finished 3-7, but lost four games by eight points or less to talented playoff teams. Coaches are paid a stipend at the end of the season for their work. The Warriors (13-1) captured a third straight 7A championship while making a fourth straight Super 7 appearance. 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. Eads and former Pinson Valley coach Sam Shade (now at Miles College) were among the high school coaches who met Harsin at a seven-on-seven camp in summer 2021. He played in the teams first jamboree game, and pretty soon Baker had seen enough. His four teams at Spanish Fort finished a combined 50-7. "I know I am saying blessed a lot, but what a day.