Coach Vandevender recently reached a remarkable milestone, capturing his 500th career victory, as Trinity Christian remains undefeated at 7–0 and is once again one of the favorites to claim the NCISAA 2A State Championship this season.
For Coach Vandevender, it has been a truly remarkable journey as the head basketball coach at Trinity Christian, a small private school established in 1990. What makes the story even more special is that his parents were the founders of Trinity Christian, beginning with the childcare portion of the school during his junior year at Campbell University in 1990. After graduating in 1991, Vandevender moved to Wilmington to work as a sportscaster at WWAY TV3. Two years later, in 1992, his parents expanded Trinity into a full school. They soon offered him the opportunity to return and help grow the vision.
“It was never my plan to teach and coach,” Vandevender has said, “but it was God’s plan.” His first year of teaching came in 1994, launching what would become a legendary coaching career.
During the 2002–03 season, he built the basketball program from the ground up, finishing with an impressive 16–9 record, despite not having a senior class until the following year. Vandevender wasted little time accumulating talent, and his teams quickly became a household basketball name across the state, finishing runner-up in the NCISAA 1A State Championship early in the program’s rise.
From that point on, the success continued to build on the foundation Coach Vandevender established through tireless work and commitment. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Trinity Christian does not have a gym on campus. The program originally played in recreational centers and, for the past 15 years, has competed at John D. Fuller’s Gym, owned by Lewis Chapel Church.
Over the years, Coach Vandevender has turned Trinity Christian into one of the premier programs in the NCISAA 1A classification. He has captured four state championships (2011, 2014, 2016, and 2018) and finished runner-up in 2007, 2013, and 2017. During this incredible stretch, he has recorded 16 seasons of 20 or more wins in 22 years, showcasing rare consistency and sustained excellence. Along the way, he has also earned multiple Conference Coach of the Year and Co-COY honors.
Beyond the wins and championships, Coach Vandevender’s greatest pride may be his players’ success beyond high school. He has sent over 100 players to the collegiate level and several on to professional basketball. Notable alumni include Dennis Smith Jr., a McDonald’s All-American who played at NC State and is currently in the NBA. In addition, Joey Baker (Duke, Michigan) and Au’Diese Tony (Pitt) are currently playing professional basketball overseas. In contrast, DJ Horne (Illinois State, Arizona State) played for NC State on their Final Four run in 2024.
More importantly, family has always been central to Coach Vandevender’s journey. He often credits their unwavering support for his success, especially his father, who was one of his biggest fans and confidants. Recently, his father passed away, leaving a tremendous void, as he was the one person Coach Vanevender always turned to for insight and reflection after games.
Reaching 500 wins is a monumental achievement, but for Coach Vandevender, the legacy of faith, family, and building young men through the game of basketball means even more.