Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. Everybodys thinking about the recruiting process, Thompson said. The quintet started. I always said why is Thompson never getting over the hill?. In the 2022 class, the state's No. To sharpen his skills, he started working with a basketball trainer, Kyree Bethel, whod played at Chowan and coached one of his summer teams. No matter how bad the Vikings had been before his arrival. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. . "I want everyone else to know we are going to be a major player in everything we do for our children," Vickers said. Some believe its unreasonable to expect Harsin to contact every in-state school so quickly. I would see everybody get these offers, and sometimes people base their lives on one game. There is no lack of challenge or ego in the region. Hoover has faced it plenty over the years. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Woods brings quickness and power to the position that Alabama could definitely use. Thompson, 52, was in his fourth season as head coach at Mira Mesa High, his alma mater. Highland Home has been a revolving door of head coaches visiting Faulk, including Tennessees Josh Heupel. He replaces Adam Wallace, who was fired after a 6-4 season that saw the Blue Devils narrowly miss the playoffs. But the very good, solid kid that you can win with and (have) represent the school and do the right thing, theyre holding way back on these kids right now.. 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. This was what hed wanted for most of his basketball life: to don that Green and Gold. I know people. Ganus played high school ball at Chelsea and played linebacker at UAB prior to the closure of the Blazers football program in 2014. You have to build on the foundation that was set, he said. Thompson went 0-10 last year and 7-23 in three years under Mike Montgomery. He stepped down at Bessemer Academy following the 2007 football season and served as the quarterbacks coach at Minor in 2008. Jaiden Thompson (3) flies high to block a shot. Is Tommy Thompson in the Hall of Fame? Suddenly, the window rolled down and a man called out, Horton! She had never seen the room that full and the specially-called board meeting was still about 15 minutes away. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. Forced to reckon with established powers, what has Harsin done to make recruiting inroads in his first 14 months? 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. Freeman won four state titles during the last decade at Spanish Fort in 2011 and 2013. var field59 = field59 || {}; I was always that guy growing up that you could negative motivate me. 3,620 Followers. Coaches liked that Harsin didn't hold back in that regard. AL.com requested salaries from all coaches in the Metro Birmingham area this past spring. 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. Katy ISD. "Its a blessed day," Freeman said. Highland Home coach Will Pouncey hasnt seen Harsin visit, but he said Auburns assistants have had consistent contact. He also coached softball, powerlifting, girls and boys basketball. 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. 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. Website. "It's not a hard place to recruit to. Theyre not practicing the way we want them to practice. The run included a 31-game win streak, eventually snapped by Daphne late in the 2014 season. It gives a kid a lot of fire.. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. Anderson set the state's all-time record for career victories earlier this season. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Todd Maulden/Special to the Independent Tribune, Friday Five: New barbecue restaurant, apartment dwellers and updates, HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: After leaving his mark at storied A.L. OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) - Erik Thompson was born to be a football coach. 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. One said Harsin's continued absence is "just insane to me." I said, Im going to go get it. Freeman had a tremendous run in the private school ranks in Alabama Independent School Association football at Bessemer Academy before he moved to Alabama High School Athletic Association public football. He coached for 10 seasons at Bessemer Academy, winning AISA titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. They advanced to the state semifinals in 2017 and the state championship game in 2018 before winning state titles in 2019 and 2020. 7 recruits played at Thompson. 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. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl leads the Cowboys onto the field before their game against Utah . 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. Copyright All rights reserved. It was a chance, but we knew it would be risky because we were in a great job in a great place. After graduation, he coached at various high schools. Thompson graduated in 1962 from Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas and went on to play at Louisiana College. "I think they can recruit with the best they've proved that in the past. Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson, ranked as the nation's No. Knowledge of sport. Football Coaches. Thompsons James L Simmons Stadium underwent a facelift for the 2014 season with press box improvements and new artificial turf. Please try a new search. 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. So I just feel like when we let someone score, its bad.. 5 in the state and No. You know Peter is going to be back there somewhere. Simpson spent the previous two years coaching the Eagles after taking over for Andrew Zow ahead of the 2019 season. Hoover recently snapped Thompsons 27-game winning streak, and the two seem to be on a collision course to meet in the playoffs this season too. Its a region that includes Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain, Gadsden City and Tuscaloosa County. In the 2022 class, the state's No. That was probably where it was a little frustrating for him that he wasnt able to get it there as quickly as he wanted.. Fegans laughs with a. 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. How well Harsin capitalizes on it can decide his future with the Tigers. Part of it, Thompson admits, was residue from the game of college recruiting. Calera High School is searching for a new head football coach after Trey Simpson, above, joined Thompson High School in an athletic administration role. Shelby County Schools is currently looking to fill the head coaching position at Calera High School. In Freemans first two seasons, Thompson finished with a 5-5 record. Ganus said hes excited to helm the Blue Devils, even though it will be much different than his work with Thompson. 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. He knows theyll be there after that, too, no matter where he is in life. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. But to be honest, there was a stretch when Thompsons light on the court had dimmed. He wants to be recruited at the highest level possible, but he doesnt fret about it, either. WEBB CITY, Mo. Ryan Thorburn. 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. Ive made a living off of beating a lot of four- and five-star kids with guys like you., Its awesome for a kid to get to hear that, Etheredge said. Tweets & replies. As for his immediate plans at Moody, Ganus said that he was looking to build on the recent success the team has found. Ganus was part of a Thompson coaching staff that has won three straight 7A state championships from 2019-2021. 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. records may be incomplete. While Ganus went undrafted in 2016, he signed a free agent deal with the NFLs Minnesota Vikings in 2016. Its quarterback, Bennett Meredith, is committed to Northwestern. 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. And if when that actually comes to fruition? Coach: Todd Thompson. We also add a fantastic teacher to our school building. Search. The additions come as KFC recently removed some menu items, including wings, popcorn chicken and cookies, to make room for new additions. You trust your evaluation of kids. Jaiden Thompson (3) is introduced before a Central Cabarrus game. How do you go from that 6-4 year and what ways can I get our kids over that hump. His uncle and role model, former Central Cabarrus football standout Michael Ricks, had a lot to do with that, coaching Thompson on his Concord Comets team and putting him through drills like dribbling with a tennis ball to improve his ball-handling. Theyll offer that kid early. BP Brandon Petersen Team 8-2 - Social Studies. Former Auburn defensive line coach Nick Eason visited Eufaula in December, but he is the only Auburn staffer Rigby has seen at the school. That discrepancy was at the center of Auburn's recent turmoil. Auburns top signee in the 2022 class was Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard, a flipped commitment from Alabama. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. CONCORD The thumping of the ball against the hardwood, the symphony of screeching sneaker rubber echoing throughout the gym used to be metaphors for Jaiden Thompsons heartbeat. Photographer Cecil Copeland has posted a new gallery Fitzgerald vs. Thomson (GHSA 2A Championship) containing 176 photos. Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football schedule released. "We are going to be the best at everything we can do every day.". And Woods is a five-star 2023 defensive lineman who has programs all over the country begging for his services, too. Freeman's decision . A lot of D-I people like him, some D-IIs. When Ed Rigby coached junior college football in Mississippi, a colleague told him an essential truth about recruiting that has stuck with him through his three decades in the industry: In the years that you have players, you are everybodys best friend. 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). Former star Marlon Humphrey was an All-American at Alabama and is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. 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. This year, despite losing star quarterback Tyler Johnstonto a knee injury in Week 5, Spanish Fort went 12-2 and reached the Class 6A state semifinals before losing to Saraland.