TAMPA, Fla. — South Florida coach Amir Abdulrahim, who led the Bulls to an American Athletic Conference regular-season title a year ago, has died, the school announced Thursday. He was 43 years old.
The school said he died from complications arising during a procedure at a Tampa-area hospital.
“He was genuine and driven, and his infectious personality captivated the entire Bulls Nation,” said USF athletic director Michael Kelly. “Coach Abdur Rahim has a lasting impact on our student-athletes, the university and the community. We want to make sure those closest to him, including his family, team and athletic staff, have the resources they need to deal with this devastating loss. “We are providing support.”
Abdur-Rahim was a rising star in the coaching world. He went 19-65 in his first three seasons at Kennesaw State, but found great success over the next two seasons. Kennesaw State’s 2022-23 team went 26-9 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, earning him the opportunity to coach at USF.
He once said he had “no idea” what he was doing in his first season as head coach, when Kennesaw State won just once.
Abdur-Rahim enjoyed immediate success at USF and was unanimously selected as the AAC’s Coach of the Year last season. The Bulls went 25-8, won the conference regular season title, won one game in the NIT, and ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in program history in the process.
“Honestly, I have learned from my mistakes,” Abdur-Rahim told The Associated Press at the time. “When I first came to Kennesaw, I wanted everything to happen immediately. So my patience and way of responding wasn’t very good. … And I truly believe the team will be as good as its coach responds. And I try to respond in the right way.”
USF President Rhea Law praised his impact on campus.
“During my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I was consistently inspired by his leadership and truly admired his sincere approach to connecting with our entire student body,” Law said. “His impact on our student-athletes, coaching staff and university community will last forever.”
This season, USF’s team ranked third in the AAC preseason poll. They will play an exhibition game against Edward Waters on October 30th and then open the season against 21st ranked Florida in Jacksonville on November 4th.
“This is absolutely devastating news. I’m speechless with everything his family is going through. He’s been dealing with some health-related issues over the past year, but this is unexpected,” Florida coach Todd Golden said on the weekly Coaches Show. He said. . This is not what people thought would happen.”
George Washington coach Chris Caputo, who posted his reaction on social media, added: “This is a truly terrible tragedy. Amir was a good person and a great coach. Please pray for him and his family.”
USF said Abdulrahim and his wife have three children. Abdur-Rahim had 12 brothers and sisters. One of his brothers is G League president and former NBA player Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
“The sudden death of my good friend Amir Abdur-Rahim, who was an outstanding man, husband, father and leader who brought tremendous positive energy to everyone he met,” said USF football coach Alex Golesh. “I was shocked,” he said. “My heart breaks for his wife Arianne, his three children, his extended family and his many friends.”
NCAA Executive Vice President Dan Gavitt called Abdur-Rahim’s death “heartbreaking.”
“Amir was a truly vibrant and talented coach and an even better person,” Gavitt said.
AAC member Tim Pernetti echoed these sentiments, saying Abdulrahim “won on the right track with class and grace.”
“In just five years as head coach, Amir has established himself as one of the best in college basketball, winning two conference championships and leading South Florida and Kennesaw State University to unprecedented levels of success,” Pernetti said.
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AP Basketball Writers Tim Reynolds and Aaron Beard contributed to this report.
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