Amir Abdur-Rahim, who served as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of South Florida, passed away on Thursday during a medical procedure, as confirmed by the school. At the age of 43, he found himself at a significant crossroads in life.
USF reported that Abdur-Rahim passed away as a result of complications that occurred during a procedure at a hospital in the Tampa area.
“We are all deeply saddened alongside the family and friends of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” stated Michael Kelly, vice president for athletics, in a formal announcement. “He exuded authenticity and determination, and his charismatic presence won over the hearts of everyone in Bulls Nation.” Coach Abdur-Rahim makes a significant impression on our student-athletes, the University, and the surrounding community. We are providing assistance to those nearest to him, such as his family, team, and athletics staff, to guarantee they have the necessary resources to cope with this significant loss.
Abdur-Rahim, hailing from Marietta, Georgia, earned the title of AAC Coach of the Year after an impressive inaugural season with USF.
Under his guidance, the Bulls achieved a remarkable milestone with a program-record 25 wins in the 2023-24 season, securing their inaugural regular-season conference championship. For the first time in program history, USF made its mark by breaking into the top 25 during the regular season, achieving a ranking as high as No. 24.
“In a remarkably brief period, Coach Abdur-Rahim left a lasting impression on the University of South Florida.” “In his inaugural season as our head coach, he infused the team with unparalleled enthusiasm, accomplished remarkable success, and created lasting memories for Bulls Nation,” stated USF president Rhea Law. “During my experience collaborating with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I found his leadership to be a constant source of inspiration, and I genuinely appreciated his heartfelt method of engaging with all of our students.” The impact he had on our student-athletes, coaching staff, and the university community will endure for all time.
Abdur-Rahim joined USF following his remarkable success in transforming Kennesaw State. In the 2019-20 season, Abdur-Rahim’s inaugural year as head coach, the Atlantic Sun program faced a challenging campaign, finishing with a record of 1-28 and failing to secure a victory in any of its conference matchups.
The Owls made significant strides, moving from a record of 5-19 to 13-18, culminating in a historic 2022-23 season. They achieved a winning record of 26-9, marking the first time they finished above .500 as a Division I program. Additionally, they secured their first-ever ASUN titles by winning both the regular-season and conference tournaments, and they made their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to securing his inaugural significant head coaching position at Kennesaw State, Abdur-Rahim gained experience on coaching staffs at Georgia Tech, the College of Charleston, Texas A&M, Murray State, and Georgia. During his time as a player at Southeastern Louisiana University, he earned recognition as a three-time All-Southland Conference guard.
According to USF, Abdur-Rahim and his wife were the parents of three children. Abdur-Rahim was part of a large family, having 12 siblings. Notably, one of his brothers is Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who serves as the president of the G League and has a background as an NBA player.
This story includes contributions from the Associated Press.
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