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Russ Abner
@CoachRussAU
Romans 12:2 | Husband & Father | @AsburyHoops Associate Head Coach | Navy Veteran
Joined January 2014
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  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    May 6, 2018
    Around 10 years ago, Brad Stevens was turned down to coach a D-III school on the same day he found out he was going to be the head coach at Butler. Now he’s up 3-0 in the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs with a team that’s not supposed to be there. Life is beautifully crazy.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Feb 26, 2020
    This was a D-II college basketball game. The idea that people only care about supporting and watching D-I basketball is a myth.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Aug 21, 2021
    As a former D-I basketball manager: • I played on the scout team • Drove our best player (& his girlfriend) to the airport • Handed out water • Rebounded shot after shot • Dressed as the mascot during a road game All in the same year Chasing dreams takes what it takes
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Mar 8, 2019
    When I first got into coaching, I worked Kentucky’s summer camps and asked John Robic advice on how to be a great assistant coach. His response: - Love your players - Try to outwork your head coach Simple, but great advice for all assistant coaches.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Nov 28, 2020
    Belmont’s Luke Smith played his first two years at D3 Sewanee. There, his career average was 18 points per game. In his first three games for @BelmontMBB this season, he is averaging 18 points per game. If you can play you can play.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Jan 4, 2022
    Best college recruiting tip you'll see today: It's January, fill out your FAFSA!
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Feb 16, 2019
    Want players to consistently box out, take charges and get 50/50 balls? Make it a huge deal when they do it in practices and games. It’s not important if we (as coaches) don’t compliment and recognize it.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Feb 2, 2019
    A group of individuals wearing the same uniform does not make them a team. It’s what those individuals do for each other while wearing the uniform that make a team. Commitment. Care. Serve. Love. Joy. The best teams have these traits, and the byproduct is unimaginable.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Mar 30, 2019
    Point Loma, who is on CBS playing for a NCAA Division II National Championship, was a NAIA program in 2012. The difference in how good players are at the two levels is slimmer than you think.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Jan 8, 2018
    How good can the NAIA D-II level be? Davenport University is in it's first year as a NCAA D-II team. Two of their starters and leading scorers were on last year's team that went to the NAIA tournament. As a new member of the GLIAC, they defeated a conference foe by 30 last month.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Feb 27, 2019
    #1 pet peeve when out recruiting: “This kid can definitely play for you, why aren’t you on him?” Thanks, guy who has never been to any of our games.
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Apr 6, 2021
    Gotta love this for Scott Drew Didn’t play college basketball, student manager at Butler 9 years as an assistant, 1 year as a HC at Valpo Took over Baylor after an awful scandal Averaged 7 wins first 3 yrs at Baylor 15 years later, coaches Baylor to a national championship
  • user avatar
    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Jun 13, 2025
    Next season, I’ll be going into my 12th year as an assistant 🏀 coach @ the college level Crazy, honestly, when I sit back & think about it… Going to start a (semi) daily post to try & help young assistant coaches or any others trying to get into the game #AssistantCoach101
    13K
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    Russ Abner
    @CoachRussAU
    Mar 20, 2019
    HS players looking to play at the college level, we are very excited to host our 2nd annual Elite Camp this summer. 15+ players who attended last year’s event have either been offered or have already committed to play at Asbury & other outstanding colleges. Details coming soon.