Justin Abbey brings over 25 years of elite youth coaching experience on both the boys’ and girls’ sides of the game. After nine years as an assistant coach at Rowan University, he returned to St. Augustine Prep three years ago, where his teams have compiled an outstanding 56-5-3 record.

He has a proven track record of developing players for the next level, placing athletes into MLS academies and Division I, II, and III college programs. Over the past three years alone, seven of his players have advanced to the Philadelphia Union Academy, including 2026 MLS SuperDraft selection Trey Wright.

Coach Abbey’s impact is also reflected in his own family. His son, Ian, developed through the Philadelphia Union Academy, played at Rutgers and Providence, and recently signed a professional contract with Fort Wayne FC. His daughter, Mia, played under him at Match Fit Surf South Jersey on a team that finished ranked #1 in the country and now plays at William & Mary. His youngest son, Trey, is a baseball player at St. Augustine Prep—and widely considered the coolest member of the family.

Coach Abbey previously served as Director of Coaching at Pittsgrove SC and FC Copa Academy.

A South Jersey native, he played in Europe at age 14 before starring at St. Augustine Prep, where he totaled 99 goals and 129 assists. He went on to a standout career at Rowan University, where he still holds the program’s all-time assist record and ranks third in scoring, while also being part of the only undefeated regular season in program history.

Coach Abbey was drafted into the MISL and played professionally. He was inducted into the South Jersey Hall of Fame in 2019 and the St. Augustine Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

Coach Abbey resides in South Jersey with his wife, Karin, and their three children.