USF males’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, a rising star within the collegiate teaching ranks, died Thursday after a battle with an aggressive sickness, in accordance with the Tampa Bay Instances. He was 43 years previous.
USF later confirmed the information, revealing that Abdur-Rahim resulting from problems from a medical process. Abdur-Rahim is survived by his spouse and their three kids.
We’re heartbroken over the passing of Coach Abdur-Rahim.
An incredible man & chief with an infectious persona that was a shining mild to all he encountered.
Our ideas & prayers are along with his household, associates and everybody that he left an enduring impression on. pic.twitter.com/h353f3FNno
— USF Males’s Basketball (@USFMBB) October 24, 2024
A former all-conference participant at Southeastern Louisiana, Abdur-Rahim spent greater than a decade as an assistant coach at Murray State, School of Charleston, Texas A&M and Georgia earlier than getting his first gig as a head coach with Kennesaw State in 2019.
He took over a moribund program that had not made the NCAA Match in its historical past since making the soar to Division I in 2005. The staff posted a 1-28 report in his first season, however it improved in each season with him on the helm.
The Owls improved to 5-19, then 13-18, then lastly 26-9 in 2022-23, with Atlantic Solar titles within the common season and convention match. Additionally they put a scare into No. 3 seed Xavier within the first spherical of their first NCAA match berth, taking a 13-point lead within the second half earlier than a chilly streak on offense allowed the Musketeers to come back again and keep away from an upset.
It was top-of-the-line teaching jobs within the nation, incomes Abdur-Rahim the Hugh Durham Award as the perfect coach of a mid-major program and a brand new job with a bigger program at USF.
Success got here even fast for Abdur-Rahim in Tampa. The Bulls went from 14-18 in 2022-23 to 25-8 final season, successful this system’s first convention common season title and simply lacking an NCAA Match bid after an upset loss within the convention match.
From USF:
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the family members of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” stated Vice President for Athletics, Michael Kelly. “He was genuine, pushed, and his infectious persona captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves an enduring impression on our student-athletes, the College, and the neighborhood. We’re supporting these closest to him, together with his household, staff, and athletics workers, to make sure they’ve the assets they should cope with this large loss.”
With a monitor report like that, Abdur-Rahim was a reputation to look at for even greater applications sooner or later. As a substitute, his story resulted in tragedy weeks earlier than his second season with USF was set to start.
