TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida has named Ben Fletcher as the interim head basketball coach.
The move comes following last week’s shocking death of coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, 43, who was undergoing a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital when he passed away due to complications that arose during the procedure.
What You Need To Know
- USF has named Ben Fletcher as men's basketball interim head coach
- Fletcher coached with Amir Abdur-Rahim for four seasons at Kennesaw State and last season with USF
- USF will play its first exhibition game Wednesday against Edward Waters at the Yuengling Center at 7 p.m.
- PREVIOUS STORY: USF community mourns basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim
Fletcher was the associate head coach for the Bulls.
USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly announced the move Tuesday during a news conference.
“Obviously it’s been a difficult couple of days for the USF family,” Kelly said. “But there is no question in my mind that Ben is the right man to lead our program forward.”
Fletcher and Abdur-Rahim spent four years coaching together at Kennesaw State before coming to USF last year.
Fletcher earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Fitness Management from Troy University in 2003.
Originally from Selma, Ala., Fletcher has the distinction of being a member of both Trojan squads that reached the NCAA Tournament, first as a player on the 2002-03 team and then as a coach with the 2016-17 team.
Fletcher will debut as head coach at USF Wednesday at home against Edward Waters. Fletcher said he will draw on the confidence Abdur-Rahim gave him.
"He would always say 'man, you're ready, like, you know, God is preparing you for this, and soon, you know, you're going to get your opportunity and show everybody what you're capable of."
Kelly, who said the focus this week has been on the players and Abdur-Rahim’s family, added that the team had an option not to play its opening exhibition game but said the players indicated they wanted to play.
Fletcher said the team practiced over the weekend and would play as a way of honoring their fallen coach. The regular season begins Nov. 4 in Jacksonville against No. 21 Florida.
“It's a difficult time as you know, but I know Coach Amir would want me to do this,” Fletcher said. “So just thank you, and know that I don't take this lightly."
Celebration of life for Amir Abdur-Rahim
A celebration of life will take place to honor USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.
Abdur-Rahim will be honored Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Yuengling Center on USF's campus and open to the public.
In lieu of flowers, Abdur-Rahim's family kindly requests that anyone wanting to honor his memory consider doing so by donating to the Future Foundation. It is a nonprofit organization that held a special place in his heart.