Jaiden Thompson (3) busts a move to get to the basket. I would see everybody get these offers, and sometimes people base their lives on one game. Always appreciate that when (coaches) don't just slip in the back door and see a kid and get out. 19) in over a decade. 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. I think that you trust your evaluation, and you don't put too much emphasis on the stars. Its a region that includes Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain, Gadsden City and Tuscaloosa County. Hoover City Schools pays its football coaches the same $47,741 stipend. 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. Both are top-40 nationally. Even still, Thompson didnt seem like a place to win big. 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. I know people. "I want everyone else to know we are going to be a major player in everything we do for our children," Vickers said. "I think they can recruit with the best they've proved that in the past. After National Signing Day, Harsin hadnot visited Montgomery Catholic, which is 50 minutes from Auburn. The Tigers' first 2023 commit is also from Auburn High: four-star offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner. And she could see right through him. On the night he scored his 1,000th career point, Jaiden Thompson is joined by (from left) his grandfather Nick Corry, his grandmother Phyllis Ann Faulker, his mother Keyna Ricks and his uncle Michael Ricks. Head coach Lee Gibson makes a little less than half of what Floyd and Freeman do even when all of his teacher salary and supplement stipends are added up. Its almost a collective awe that funnels out when his teammates describe Woods. Following almost every activity whether its a win, a loss, or a practice you see Thompsons signature Outworkem All expression on social media. Ryan Thorburn. Last years team started 3-2 and finished 3-7, but lost four games by eight points or less to talented playoff teams. Those were the things that helped bring him solace as he was dealing with his frustration. After that, everything just clicked. 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. He had been battling bone cancer, but is believed to have succumbed to complications from COVID-19. Central Cabarrus coach Jim Baker poses for a photo with his four seniors: Gavin Bullock (30) Micah Murray (33) Adriel Miller (14) Elijah Ford (22) and Jaiden Thompson (3). Thompson was beside himself. Now Thompson is dunking with ease in games and soaring above the crowd for rebounds. He has not met Harsin. But by last fall, basketball was anything but that for Thompson. Following the 2020-21 school year, Thompson was even named Teacher of the Year for the Ogden School District. Im a finesse cornerback even though I can hit, Fegans said. Well, thats going to be some moment. Tommy Thompson was born in Hutchinson, KS. Thats really what made me as a football player, and getting back to my roots like that was really enticing to me facilities are great, but I think people make the place, and I think the people here make this a special place.. Win the battle in my backyard at all costs. According to the 247Sports Composite, the last time 11 top-200 recruits called Alabama home was 2008. Now, hell join ACS and Thompson High School in an athletic administrative role alongside athletic director Vincent Pitts and others in the department, while also continuing his role as a special education teacher. Thompsons mom had put a ball in his hands when he was about 4 years old, and he hadnt let it go since. 0:36. Brandon Graves Elementary Teacher / Head Baseball & Asst Football Coach. But after realizing that I wanted it for myself, then things just started to pick up.. "Some of those kids who didn't have all the stars that (Harsin) brought in are really good players. There are now five coaches in Class 7A, Region 3 that pay their head football coach a combined salary of more than $100,000 per season. Alabama High School Football History Thompson Coaches Thompson Warriors The AHSFHS.org Fan Shop Some records may be incomplete. The current defense has shut out five of its 10 regular-season opponents and held nine to fewer than 10 points. Both coaches compete in Class 7A, Region 3. 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. Jaiden Thompson averaged nearly 20 points per game thisseason. That type of concentrated talent may be just another season at a program like IMG Academy, but its not common at a public school like Thompson, which produced a total of one four- or five-star recruit in the past decade current Alabama offensive lineman Amari Kight, a four-star recruit in 2019. We have chosen to publish this information in hopes our visitors will participate in assisting us to complete every school. Alabaster City Schools is planning a new high school that should be open in less than three years. I mean, if you come and play hard, its hard to get on a kid. The list can go on and on because Hoover and Niblett, like their counterparts Freeman and Thompson, take their football seriously. Some believe its unreasonable to expect Harsin to contact every in-state school so quickly. Hes ranked No. AL.com requested salaries from all coaches in the Metro Birmingham area this past spring. 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. He has an offer right now, but he doesnt have that ONE. Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. Thompson Football Staff Players (118) Staff (3) Help the team get started! His father, Fred, is a legendary figure in Utah high school athletics, having coached at Roy High School for 19 years, followed by a six-year stint at Fremont. They understand what that does for high school that makes it an exciting day when Coach Harsin or Coach Saban shows up.. Thompson High School in Birmingham is one of the perennial prep football powers in Alabama. This is a year when Rigby does have players most notably four-star defensive lineman Yhonzae Pierre and three-star offensive lineman Patrick Screws. He was Alabamas first verbal commitment in the 2022 class when he made his decision in March 2020. In the first game of his junior year, Thompsons spirit got some much-needed jumper cables in the form of a game in which he scored 23 points in just three quarters of action. Theyre not showing up for meetings on time. And (Auburns coaches) really dont have any tolerance for that in the program. Freeman was also the coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons. Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. And while some schools showed interest in him taking his talents there, the recruiting slowed down, no matter how much he was thrashing his competition on a team that was one of the best around. In 2023, the state has 11 of the top 100. He has built a powerhouse at Thompson winning four state championships in a row. Burnet Jerod Rye stepped down after two seasons and a 10-11 record at the District. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He also coached softball, powerlifting, girls and boys basketball. Win those battles, keep as many people home, and love, love, love on those high school coaches. When I heard that, I said, Yeah, Ive got to do something about this, he said. "I grew up right down the road from Alabaster," Freeman said. Jaiden Thompson (3) shoots the J with a hand in his face. You trust your evaluation of kids. And it was Bethel who introduced him to the Vertimax, a machine designed to improve jumping ability. 7 recruits played at Thompson. Sophomore year, I knew I was pretty good, but I had a bad habit of comparing myself to other people, Thompson said. 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. It seemed it would be a Herculean task. You need to go to a private school (to get recruited better). I was like, Why would I go anywhere? Football Coaches. And the results speak for itself: over the past five seasons, the Warriors are 62-6. Auburns staffparticularly Etheridge and director of high school relations Brendt Bedsole, a former high school coachhas impressed high school coaches. Mar 2, 2023 Updated 27 min ago. Steven Hoffmann High School Teacher / Asst Football & Powerlifting Coach. A lot of people thought Oh you just got a great coach. 27. Ronald H. Thompson (born c. 1944) is a former American football coach. Thatd be like a dream come true, especially to my mom, my grandma, my grandpa (Nick Corry) and my uncle. "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.". Is Tommy Thompson in the Hall of Fame? Pinson Valley often has talent (see: Bo Nix). Coming back here and kind of turning this program around was a big thing for me.. What I like to see is you actually show up, Rigby said. But weve got an outstanding individual that loves our kids and loves our parents, loves our school system.. 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. 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. That facility will also come with a new football stadium. Hoover once had an infamous television show, Two-A-Days, document its football program and has won 13 state championships. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). These days, Thompsons love for the game cant be questioned. Thompsons feelings certainly werent about a lack of love for the Vikings. Not yet 6 feet, Thompson proved he belonged with the big boys, the varsity. This fall, the Warriors completed a 9-1 regular season and are slated to start the state playoffs Friday against Florence. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. While at Bessemer Academy, Coach Freeman also served as the head baseball coach. New Orleans (La.) Im not choosing sides on Alabama-Auburn, Rigby says, but the most important recruiting trait to him is when a college coach visits even in those years when the high school doesnt have top-rated players. Ganus arrived on campus to meet with the Blue . Quite frankly, thats the way the locals like it. His 2013 team finished 15-0 and won another Class 5A state championship with a win over Muscle Shoals in the title game. Jaiden Thompson looks to make a pass during his freshman season. Our offense will be spread, tempo. But these next two weekends have special meaning. 258 Following. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Over the next ten seasons his teams went 101-21 and won four AISA State Championships. Thompson . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region. 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. Thats the altitude Thompson has currently reached with its run of impressive athletes, which also includes three-star quarterback Conner Harrell, who is committed to North Carolina. 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 won 15 of his 17 playoff games with the Toros. Thats what I actually LOVE about this team. I can do this my way and actually go to a good college like Wendell did. Lets just say that over the years, my writings have agitated some. AUBURN The message was inspirational to the kid and an aphorism for Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, summing up his underdog recruiting mentality. Career. We try to ignore that, but at the same time, it kind of motivates us. 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. How much did Tommy Thompson weigh when playing? He needed to hit that growth spurt, and he needed to become familiar with the weight room. var field59 = field59 || {}; Whenever the grammar-school-aged Thompson was feeling overwhelmed, it was as if he could click the heels of his Air Jordans together, chant Theres no place like home, and be transported to anywhere a rim hung. Jaiden Thompson (3) is introduced before a Central Cabarrus game. . I know that theres a freshman that plays quarterback, and at the end of the day when I was a quarterback at Chelsea, I was not a quarterback I was just one of the best athletes on the team who could throw the ball OK. Thats something well look at as well. They all apply to the focused Thompson, who actually plays as hard on defense as he does when hes working magic with the ball in his hands. There is no lack of challenge or ego in the region. 90 nationally. 3,620 Followers. Moore heard those private-school whispers, too. Jaiden Thompson (3) leaving it all on the court. He also served as the Athletic Director at Bessemer Academy. 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. She said, What are you going to do about it?. His record at Thompson in nine seasons is 83-18 and 21-2 in the playoffs. Whatever that it is and wherever it takes him. Anderson set the state's all-time record for career victories earlier this season. Valid CPR and First Aid, TB Test, Fingerprint Process, NFHS online coaching certificates; Heat Illness Prevention. 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. Im just trying to go MY way. 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. Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson, ranked as the nation's No. 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. Harsins future was under the microscope in February during an internal investigationinvolving his treatment of players and staff. Its a sort of throwback team, considering how offense is so valued in the game of football today. That didnt take away that occasional feeling that comes with a lost love, though, or one you feel is slipping away. I can work as good as anybody, Freeman said. These coaches have done a great job of laying that foundation. Everybody just clicks together, Thompson explained. Search. Former Auburn defensive line coach Nick Eason visited Eufaula in December, but he is the only Auburn staffer Rigby has seen at the school. Actually, me and Gavin have been talking about this since we were little boys. Im trying to set them up for interceptions and PBUs.. Theyre not practicing the way we want them to practice. 197 Posts. He even led the team with 2.7 steals for a squad that went from six wins the year before to 17. As does Thompson now. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. 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. Thompson's commitment to Freeman shows that the program is now joining that competition. Another thing that needs context is how hyper competitive Class 7A, Region 3 football is within the state. 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 he knew it. Freeman's hiring meant an increase of almost $50,000 per year in what Thompson had paid former coach Mike Montgomery. It was after seeing what she knew wasnt his best self on the basketball court, that his grandma wondered about his priorities. He coached for 10 seasons at Bessemer Academy, winning AISA titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. And for that to actually happen? 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? The coaching part of it? The only problem was that a number of coaches at prominent football schools have not met him. THS TV allows students the opportunity to work in all areas of production, including behind-the-scenes and on-camera for news programs, our "Hey Coach" show, live sports events such as football games, and other sports and entertainment programming. Ben Thompson, an assistant on Sam London's staff the last two seasons, will be the Red Tornado's . 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. Ive lived my life thinking I can (out)work people. Harsin hadnt been to Thompson. Posted - 02/28/2023 : 12:35:46 . 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. For us to win a state championship at Central Cabarrus, that would mean everything to me and the guys, Thompson added. 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. 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. The season before he arrived, the Warriors finished with an 0-10 record, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. Carver High School in Montgomery. Records reflect scores in our database. Ill have to get some guys out there, Ganus said. How many games did Tommy Thompson play? There arent many words for that, Thompson says. Hes been involved in multiple sports arenas as far as coaching goes, but hes also shown success in athletic administration. The more kids that get on campus, you're going to see him put his stamp on the type of kids he wants to recruit.". Big-time high school football in Alabama can be classified as an arms race. News Sports Hookem.com Austin360 Opinion USA TODAY Obituaries . The meeting was adjourned quickly and the head coach was brought in to welcome him into the chamber. Auburn is now making a push for four-star 2023 running back Jeremiah Cobb from the school. She was just sad and disappointed to watch me like that. 2022 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA Class 2A. Shade thought Harsin did a good job communicating through his assistants, especially Etheridge. If you told me, You cant do this. Then Im going to go in and do my best, Freeman said. Please subscribe to keep reading. Sure, its great. There have been a ton of (recruiters) whove seen him. Those who have met Harsin and spent time with him were left with a positive impression of an honest, down-to-business recruiter. Knowledge of sport. The funds generated by those summer camps can typically add another $10,000-$30,000 to a coach's bottom line income in some cases. Those hirings mean the two highest-paid high school football coaches in Alabama compete in the same region.