Laurel Abernethy to Lead UC Davis Diving Program

DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis head swimming and diving coach Matthew Macedo introduced the appointment of Laurel Abernethy because the Aggies’ diving coach. Abernethy strikes into the function after serving as this system’s assistant diving coach in the course of the 2025-26 season.

She succeeds longtime UC Davis diving coach Phil Tonne, who will retire following 22 years with the Aggies and a exceptional 47-year profession as a collegiate head diving coach.

“We are excited to welcome Laurel and Glenn back to northern California and back to UC Davis,” Macedo stated. “Laurel did an excellent job in the assistant role last year and established herself as the clear choice for this position. I look forward to working with Laurel in her new role as we transition to a diving heavy Mountain West Conference.”

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to succeed Phil,” Abernethy stated. “Phil has had a tremendous influence on my coaching career, and I am excited to continue the tradition of diving excellence he has established at UC Davis. I look forward to leading the team through its transition into the Mountain West and working with these exceptional student-athletes.”

Abernethy brings in depth teaching expertise and a robust document of growing high-level divers. She can be deeply aware of UC Davis, having served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Aggies from 2012-16 earlier than returning to this system as an assistant final season.

Tonne has identified and labored with Abernethy for about 20 years and expressed confidence in her potential to proceed this system’s custom of success.

“I have had a wonderful 47-year journey coaching Division I diving,” Tonne stated. “Throughout my career, it has always been about the hundreds of student-athletes I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I had considered retiring for a couple of years, but I didn’t want to step away until I knew our current student-athletes would be in good hands. I have known Laurel for approximately 20 years, and I know she is the right person for this position. She previously helped coach my club team in Davis before moving to Utah and later spent two years leading the program at Cal Poly. After working alongside her this past year, I feel very confident having her take over. She will do a tremendous job continuing our tradition of diving success as we enter the Mountain West.”

Before returning to UC Davis, Abernethy served as the pinnacle diving coach at Cal Poly, the place her divers recorded 5 top-five marks in program historical past. She additionally helped Brigham Young University seize three particular person diving titles and the lads’s crew championship on the 2023 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships.

A six-time Western Athletic Conference finalist throughout her collegiate profession at Brigham Young, Abernethy has coached nationwide championship qualifiers and United States Olympic Trials participant Jake Crayne.