TAMPA, Fla. — South Florida Athletics has named men’s basketball associate head coach Ben Fletcher the team’s interim head coach for the 2024-25 season following the tragic passing of Amir Abdur-Rahim,43, last week.
The Bulls held their first practice on Saturday, three days after the death of Abdur-Rahim.
“In typical Amir fashion, man, those guys were as locked in as I’ve ever seen,” Fletcher said. “I know that was their way of honoring him.”
Fletcher, who served as assistant head coach during the 2023-24 season, was promoted to associate head coach in June 2024.
Before his time at USF, Fletcher spent four seasons as an assistant coach under Abdur-Rahim at Kennesaw State University.
“I was looking back through text messages. The one thing he would always tell me even being at Kennesaw,” Fletcher said. “He would always say, ‘Man, you’re ready. God is preparing you for this. Soon, you’ll get your opportunity and show everybody what you’re capable of.’ That’s just who he was.”
During the 2023-24 season, Abdur-Rahim led the Bulls to a 25-8 record and won their first regular-season conference championship. They were also ranked in the top 25 for the first time in program history.
“He did much more than that. Connecting the University, connecting the community,” Michael Kelly, USF Vice President of Athletics, said. “We’re honored that he chose to share a part of his journey with us.”
A public celebration of life for Amir Abdur-Rahim will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at the Yuengling Center. The event will begin at 11 a.m.
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