TAMPA, Fla. — On Tuesday, South Florida announced the appointment of Ben Fletcher as the interim head coach for the Bulls basketball team, stepping in after the tragic passing of Amir Abdur-Rahim. Fletcher’s connection to Abdur-Rahim runs deep; the two were close friends, and he played a significant role in helping turn around struggling programs at both Kennesaw State and USF.
Fletcher expressed his commitment to supporting the team through this difficult time, stating he recognizes the emotional challenges ahead. “He will spearhead us through the season, I know. We will not try to forget or put emotions to the side. This is real life, you know?” Fletcher remarked, emphasizing the importance of allowing the players to grieve in their own ways while also ensuring they receive the necessary support.
Abdur-Rahim, aged 43, passed away due to complications from a procedure he underwent at a local Tampa hospital. During his sole season as the head coach for the Bulls, he led the team to a remarkable performance, achieving a school-record 25 wins and clinching the first-ever conference championship for USF. The Bulls are set to play an exhibition game against Edward Waters this Wednesday, with their regular season kicking off next Monday against No. 21 Florida in Jacksonville.
Fletcher has prioritized the mental health of the players during this challenging period. “We’ve done everything in our power to make sure and ensure that they have had the proper counseling that they need,” he explained, noting that the players expressed their desire to continue practicing despite the grief. “I was steadfast, ‘You guys tell me when you’re ready.’ The last thing I want to do in this situation is force those guys to do something when they’re grieving as well. … We’re going to uphold the standard that he left behind.”
Fletcher’s coaching journey began at his alma mater, Troy, where he had previously played and helped the team reach the NCAA Tournament in 2003, returning as an assistant coach in 2017. He spent four fruitful years a part of Abdur-Rahim’s staff at Kennesaw State, contributing to a remarkable transformation that saw the program go from just one win in their first season to a successful 26-9 campaign, culminating in an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022-23.
Fletcher, who joined Abdur-Rahim’s staff as an assistant at USF in 2023, played a part in the Bulls’ impressive 25-8 record last season, during which they not only won the AAC regular-season title but also celebrated their first-ever ranking in the AP Top 25. The late coach was widely recognized for his effort, being named the unanimous conference coach of the year.
USF Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly shared his strong belief in Fletcher’s ability to lead the program during this transition, stating, “There’s no question in my mind that Ben is the right man to lead our program forward. … Guys are eager to do what they love and what coach wanted to do, both as basketball players and as men.” Kelly underscored the determination of the players to honor Abdur-Rahim’s legacy by moving forward and pursuing their passion for basketball.