Brian Maner
Coach Maner has been the Warriors’ head coach since 2005. A native of north Alabama, Coach Maner played football at AustinHigh School before attending the University of West Alabama, where he played until a career-ending injury in 1987. Maner led the Warriors to the state playoffs in 2006 and has one state championship to his credit, in 1995 at Cordova. Maner has been at Thompson since 2002. He also has coached at Buckhorn, the University of West Alabama and Tennessee-Martin.
Dustan Goode
Coach Goode is Thompson’s defensive coordinator. He played football at SparkmanHigh School in Huntsville and then attended the University of West Alabama, where he also played. Goode has been at Thompson for two years. His previous coaching experience includes stints at Cordova, Buckhorn, Greenville, Newnan, Ga., and McAdory high schools.
Marc Rice
Coach Rice works with quarterbacks at Thompson. A native of the Birmingham area, Rice attended ShadesValleyHigh School and played football at AuburnUniversity from 1971-73. Previously the head coach and athletic director at ShadesValley, Muscle Shoals and Tallassee high Schools, Rice also coached college ball at West Alabama. He has previous high school experience at Oak Grove and Buckhorn. He also worked at Grisham Junior High.
Michael Montgomery
Coach Montgomery is the offensive line coach and running game coordinator at Thompson. A graduate of OkolonaHigh School in Mississippi, he played four years of football at MississippiStateUniversity. He spent seven years coaching at Meridian High in Mississippi, WalkerHigh School in Jasper and Tuscaloosa County High. He also coached three years at MississippiState and two years at BenedictCollege. Montgomery worked three years as a talent scout for the Canadian Football League and the NFL.
Chuck Nelson
Coach Nelson is responsible for the defensive secondary at Thompson. A graduate of FultondaleHigh School, he attended AuburnUniversity. Nelson also has coaching experience at ShadesValleyHigh School, Oak Grove and Clay-Chalkville.
Jake Parker
Coach Parker is the defensive line coach at Thompson. A graduate of Minor High School., he played one year of baseball at L.B.WallaceCommunity College. He went on to earn his degree from the University of Alabama. Parker has one year of experience at Thompson.
Danny Ward
Coach Ward is responsible for wide receivers. He played high school football at Centennial in Franklin, Tenn., and attended the University of Alabama for his undergraduate degree and David Lipscomb for graduate studies. Ward previously coached at NorthridgeHigh School and Centennial High.
Pat Hamrick
Coach Hamrick is the head coach of the 9th grade team and an assistant with the varsity. He attended BibbCountyHigh School before receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of West Alabama. Hamrick is the Warriors head baseball coach and is in his 14th year coaching baseball and football. He worked as a baseball graduate assistant for two years at West Alabama.
Jeff Bell
Coach Bell is an assistant with the 9th grade team. He is in his third year coaching with the Warriors and teaches PE at MeadowViewElementary School. Bell is a graduate of UAB, where he played baseball. He is one of the Blazers’ top all-time run producers and is their No. 4 all-time home run hitter. He also played professional baseball in the minor leagues.