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 at Ole Miss from 2003-2007 and earned All-SEC honors in 2006-07 after leading the Rebels to the SEC Western Division Championship. After graduating with a degree in Banking and Finance, he played professionally in Europe for six seasons 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. It is a joy welcome Todd and his wife Micah to Trinity.”
In 2013, Abernethy began his coaching career in Indianapolis at IUPUI as the director of basketball operations and video coordinator. He returned to his alma mater in 2014 and served as an Assistant Coach for Andy Kennedy the past 4 seasons. The Rebels advanced to the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Elite 8 of the 2017 National Invitational Tournament.
While at Ole Miss, Abernethy oversaw player development and helped many players take their skills to the next level. Ole Miss produced three First-Team All-SEC players in those four seasons. Abernethy also proved to be a skilled recruiter, signing players from Europe, Florida, Maryland, Indiana, Missouri, and Mississippi.
“I am so thankful President Dockery has given me 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.
“I have been blessed to learn from some great coaches throughout my life and I’m excited to help the players at TIU reach their full potential,” Abernethy said.
As a freshman at Ole Miss in 2003-04, Abernethy started all 28 games for coach Rod Barnes. In 2004-05, he came off the bench and was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year. In 2006-07, under the direction of first-year head coach Andy Kennedy, Abernethy was an All-SEC point guard, averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 assists per game in helping the team win the SEC West. Abernethy finished his playing career at Ole Miss with 1,036 points. He also recorded 431 assists, which ranks fourth in school history Abernethy made the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times.
In 2007, Abernethy began his professional career in the Netherlands and then spent the next five years in Eastern Europe. In 2010, Abernethy played in Estonia for Tartu Rock and won the Estonian Championship. In the deciding game, he scored 30 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. In 2012, while playing in Ventspils, Latvia, his team advanced to the EuroChallenge Elite 8.
After the season, he ran the Todd Abernethy Basketball Camp for top Latvian High School Players where he worked on skill development and shared the gospel of Christ with them.
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. “The players here love each other and have put the work in to be successful. “With the players returning and the addition of a few more pieces, I believe we can compete for CCAC and NAIA championships,” Abernethy continued. “The process starts today and I can’t wait to get started!”
Outstanding basketball runs in Abernethy’s family. His father Tom played at IU for Bob Knight and was on the 1976 team that went undefeated and won the national championship. He also played in the NBA for 5 seasons with the Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Pacers.
His brother Matt played at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, from 2000-03. He ranks among the top five scorers in school history and entered the Lancer Hall of Fame in 2015. Andrew, another brother, played at Bethel College, South Bend, Indiana, from 1999-2002. He earned Master of Divinity (2006) and Doctor of Philosophy (2012) degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and worked on the Deerfield campus as an adjunct instructor. He now serves as associate professor of Old Testament at nearby Wheaton College.
Todd and Micah Abernethy have two daughters, Ruthie (7) and Maria (6), and a son, Jack (2). Micah lettered in track and field and cross-country and earned a degree in marketing at Ole Miss. The couple served together for four years on Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership at Ole Miss. As a student, Todd was the FCA Worship Leader all four years. In 2006, Micah was a camp counselor at Kanakuk in Branson, Missouri.
