• Skip to Content

Trine University

  • Sign in to your Merit page
« Back to Recent News

Abbs earns 5-year contract extension

ANGOLA (01/02/2018) — Following an undefeated regular season and a win in the NCAA Division III national tournament, Trine University has signed head football coach Troy Abbs to a five-year contract extension.

The deal locks Abbs in place through the end of the 2022 season.

"Coach Abbs has taken our football program to a new level, and I am excited that we have been able to secure the future of Thunder football for Trine University," said Matt Land, assistant vice president of athletics. "With the growth and development we have experienced over the last three seasons, I cannot think of a better person to continue writing the Thunder football story."

"My family and I, and the rest of the coaching staff, are very excited to continue what we have started here with the Thunder football family," said Abbs. "We have a good start, but we want to improve on what we have accomplished, and have fun doing it.

"The entire coaching staff is exciting about our future at Trine. We feel we have a strong football culture and nucleus of players coming back next year, and we are excited for next season and the next several seasons to come. We're very honored to be at such a great institution and a place that is so dedicated to helping young men and women reach their potential."

Abbs was named the Division III Region 4 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) at the end of the 2017 season. The season saw the Thunder football team earn a school record-tying 11 victories (11-1 overall), including the program's third undefeated regular season (10-0) and a fourth Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship. Trine also made its fourth appearance in the NCAA National Tournament and advanced to the second round.

In three seasons at the helm of the Trine football program, Abbs has posted a 23-9 record (.719 winning percentage).

Join the conversation, #TrineU.

Trine University, an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the Allen School of Engineering & Technology, Ketner School of Business, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Franks School of Education, Jannen School of Arts & Sciences and Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 23 varsity sports. Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre main campus in Angola, Indiana, and education resource centers throughout Indiana and Michigan.

-30-

Media Attachments

Trine University

James Tew, 260.665.4133, tewj@trine.edu

Share this Story

  • Print
  • Email

Recent News

  • Students honored at Trine's STEM Symposium
  • Colts head coach Steichen to highlight Trine Scholarship Gala
  • Donors give more than $140K to Trine for Giving Tuesday
  • Ansys grant allows Trine engineering faculty to expand simulation-based learning
  • Trine inducts 2 into Order of the Engineer
  • Liberatore receives award at AIChE annual meeting
  • Trine names winners in annual sales competition
  • Trine chemical engineering students earn national distinctions
  • Trine University professor elected director of AIChE's Education Division
  • Trine University hosts 9th annual STEM Research and Design Symposium
… View all recent news
Copyright © 2025 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out