DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis head swimming and diving coach Matthew Macedo announced the appointment of Laurel Abernethy as the Aggies' diving coach. Abernethy moves into the role after serving as the program's assistant diving coach during the 2025-26 season.
She succeeds longtime UC Davis diving coach Phil Tonne, who will retire following 22 years with the Aggies and a remarkable 47-year career as a collegiate head diving coach.
"We are excited to welcome Laurel and Glenn back to northern California and back to UC Davis," Macedo said. "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 said. "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 extensive coaching experience and a strong record of developing high-level divers. She is also deeply familiar with UC Davis, having served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Aggies from 2012-16 before returning to the program as an assistant last season.
Tonne has known and worked with Abernethy for approximately 20 years and expressed confidence in her ability to continue the program's tradition of success.
"I have had a wonderful 47-year journey coaching Division I diving," Tonne said. "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 head diving coach at Cal Poly, where her divers recorded five top-five marks in program history. She also helped Brigham Young University capture three individual diving titles and the men's team championship at the 2023 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships.
A six-time Western Athletic Conference finalist during her collegiate career at Brigham Young, Abernethy has coached national championship qualifiers and United States Olympic Trials participant Jake Crayne.
