USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim dies at 43 due to complications during surgery. Amir Abdur-Rahim, South Florida’s men’s basketball coach, died Thursday while receiving a medical procedure, the school said. Abdur-Rahim was 43. The school said in a statement that difficulties emerged during his treatment at a Tampa hospital.
“All of us at South Florida Athletics are grieving with Coach Abdur-Rahim’s family,” athletic director Michael Kelly said in a statement. “He was genuinely driven, and his contagious personality enthralled Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim has a long-term impact on our student-athletes, the University, and the community.”
Abdur-Rahim was seen as a rising star in the industry and a possible central program coach. He oversaw a spectacular turnaround in his first season with the Bulls last year, winning unanimous American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year recognition. He led South Florida to a school record 25 victories, its first regular-season conference title, first appearance in the rankings, and first NIT appearance in more than ten years.
Before taking over the Bulls in March 2023, Abdur-Rahim, a Georgia native, led Kennesaw State to 26 victories and its first NCAA Tournament appearance after the team went 1-28 in his first season (2019-20). The Southeastern Louisiana graduate also assisted at Georgia and Texas A&M.
“In a very short time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible impact on the University of South Florida,” school president Rhea Law stated. “During my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I was consistently inspired by his leadership and respected his genuine approach to interacting with our entire student body. His impact on our student-athletes, coaching staff, and the university community will last always.”
