TAMPA, Fla. — This one was for Coach.
This was the kind of game former University of South Florida head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim would have loved.
It was gritty. It went into double overtime. It was emotional. No way would USF lose this game.
“Every guy was locked in before the game and we did a good job of preparation throughout the week,” USF guard Kobe Knox said. “So we knew what coming into this game and winning the game meant for everybody.”
This was for Coach Abdur-Rahim. On the same night USF defeated Temple, the Bulls' former coach was honored by the American Athletic Conference. First, with the AAC’s honorary Coach of the Year award, presented to his family. Then, with a check for $15,000, his contracted bonus for Coach of the Year recognition, made out to the Future Foundation.
“I think it’s the least we can do,” AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti said. “He’s had a short-term permanent impact on the American and he deserves to be honored in this way forever.”
Coach Abdur-Rahim had spent only a year in the AAC, but he left an indelible mark. And when he passed away unexpectedly in October, just before the start of the season, the league wanted to find ways to honor him.
His legacy will continue with the annual AAC Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award, given to the men’s basketball player who best exemplifies fair play and leadership.
“To see the impact that he had, to see that being recognized beyond even his basketball acumen, but to the impact he made on so many,” USF athletic director Michael Kelly said.
You still see Coach Abdur-Rahim everywhere. He’s in the student section that bears his name. He was on t-shirts with his Love Wins mantra. And he was on the court. These Bulls are playing for the man who taught them to dream big. The man who brought pride back into the USF program.
“He did something here in one year that this school hadn’t done in over 50 years, in terms of winning a regular season title, and that shows his basketball acumen,” Kelly said. “But he did it by connecting people.”