Amir Abdur-Rahim, the head men’s basketball coach at the University of South Florida, passed away on Thursday at the age of 43 due to complications from a medical procedure at a hospital in the Tampa area, as confirmed by the university.
Michael Kelly, USF’s vice president for athletics, expressed the deep sorrow felt within the athletics community, stating, “All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim. He was authentic, driven, and his infectious personality captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves a lasting impact on our student-athletes, the University, and the community. We are supporting those closest to him, including his family, team, and athletics staff, to ensure they have the resources they need to deal with this tremendous loss.”
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Abdur-Rahim had just completed a remarkable first season with the Bulls, earning the AAC Coach of the Year title. He led the team to a program-record 25 wins in the 2023-24 season, securing the first regular-season conference championship in the program’s history and achieving a top 25 ranking for the first time, peaking at No. 24.
USF president Rhea Law praised Abdur-Rahim’s impact on the university, saying, “In a very short time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible impact on the University of South Florida. In his first season as our head coach, he brought an unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success, and helped generate unforgettable memories for Bulls Nation. His influence on our student-athletes, coaching staff, and the university community will live on forever.”
Prior to his success at USF, Abdur-Rahim oversaw a turnaround at Kennesaw State, where he began with a challenging season that saw the team go 1-28. The program improved significantly under his leadership, culminating in a 26-9 record and NCAA Tournament appearance in the 2022-23 season.
Before becoming head coach at Kennesaw State, Abdur-Rahim served on coaching staffs at several institutions, including Georgia Tech and Texas A&M. As a player, he was a three-time All-Southland Conference guard at Southeastern Louisiana University.
He is survived by his wife and their three children, along with a large family that includes 12 siblings, one of whom is Shareef Abdur-Rahim, president of the G League and a former NBA player.