Ole Miss assistant Todd Abernethy named head coach of TIU men's basketball
Todd Abernethy, a former standout point guard and assistant coach at the University of Mississippi, was named head coach Monday of the men's basketball team at Trinity International University.
Abernethy, a native of Carmel, Indiana, played for Ole Miss from 2003-07 and won numerous accolades. After graduation, Abernethy played professionally for six years in the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine.
"Todd brings a dedication to excellence on the court, in the classroom, and the community to this role," TIU president David S. Dockery said. "His personal commitment to Trinity's distinctive mission will be greatly appreciated by faculty, staff, students and others."
His coaching career started at IUPUI in Indianapolis, where he served in 2013 as director of basketball operations and video coordinator. For the past four years, he has served as coordinator of recruiting development and as a full-time assistant coach at Ole Miss. The Rebels advanced to the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Elite 8 of the 2017 National Invitational Tournament.
"I am so thankful for the opportunity to be the head coach of TIU," Abernethy said. "My life was transformed through Christian education, and I am excited to make an eternal impact on the young men I will coach here at Trinity."
Abernethy finished his playing career at Ole Miss with 1,036 points. He also recorded 431 assists, which ranks fourth in school history. As a true freshman, he started all 28 games.
The following year he won the SEC's Sixth Man of the Year, and in 2006-07, he earned All-Southeastern Conference recognition. He made the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times.
Abernethy replaces Brian "Boomer" Roberts, who resigned earlier this month to accept the head coaching position at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana. Roberts compiled an 84-48 record in four years at TIU after inheriting a team that had finished the previous season 5-25.
"Boomer did an amazing job here at Trinity not only in the development of the players on the court but in the culture he established," Abernethy said. "With the players returning and the addition of a few more pieces, I believe we can compete for CCAC and NAIA championships."
Outstanding basketball runs in Abernethy's family. His father Tom played on the 1976 Indiana University team that went undefeated and won the national championship. He also played on three NBA teams.
Brothers Matthew and Andrew also played college basketball. Andrew earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and worked on campus as an adjunct instructor.
As students at Ole Miss, Abernethy and his wife Micah served four years within the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership. They have two daughters and a son.
Abernethy will lead TIU's summer basketball camps the weeks of June 18 and 25.