TAMPA, Fla. (June 5, 2024) – University of South Florida Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly announced Wednesday a contract extension for Men’s Basketball Head Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim that takes his contract through the 2029-30 season.
“In his first season, Amir’s leadership and vision delivered one of the most exciting and memorable seasons in Bulls basketball history,” Kelly said. “A conference championship, electric sellout crowds at the Yuengling Center, and an exciting style of play were on display at Tampa Bay’s home for hoops. We are excited to continue to invest in the success of USF men’s basketball under Amir’s guidance.”
In his first season at South Florida, Abdur-Rahim was a unanimous choice for American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year as he led USF to a 25-8 (16-2, AAC) record as the Bulls claimed the program’s first-ever regular season conference title with a two-game cushion and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. USF’s win total marked an 11-win improvement over 2022-23, among the top 10 improvements in the nation in 2023-24, and was just the sixth 20-win season in program history. The Bulls’ 25 wins set a program record, bettering the 24 wins posted in 2018-19.
USF earned its first-ever Top 25 national ranking in men’s basketball during the season, reaching as high as No. 24 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls. The Bulls’ 16 wins in conference play marked the most in program history and USF held the longest win streak in the nation, posting 15 straight victories in conference play to register the program’s longest-ever win streak. Abdur-Rahim is the only USF coach to win their regular season and conference debut.
Notables
• Led South Florida to its first regular season conference championship
• Led the Bulls to a 25-8 record. The 25 wins are the most in program history.
• The 25-8 record was an 11-win improvement from the 2022-23 season, which was tied for the seventh-best improvement during the 2023-24 season, and just the sixth 20-win season in program history.
• USF earned its first-ever Top 25 ranking in men’s basketball during the season, reaching as high as No. 24 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls.
• The Bulls’ 16 wins in conference play are the most in program history and USF held the longest win streak in the nation, posting 15 straight victories in conference play to register the program’s longest-ever win streak.
• Ended the season with three-straight sellouts of the Yuengling Center
• Reached the NIT second round, the first second-round appearance since 2012
• 2024 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
• 2024 NABC District 24 Coach of the Year
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The South Florida men’s basketball team is led by Amir Abdur-Rahim, who was named the 11th head coach in program history on March 29, 2023. Abdur-Rahim was named the 2023 Mid-Major Coach of the Year (Hugh Durham Award) after leading Kennesaw State to its first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament berth in 2022-23. Abdur-Rahim’s Kennesaw State team set an NCAA record as the fastest team to ever reach the NCAA Tournament after a one-win campaign, accomplishing the feat in a span of just three seasons. He was also named the 2022-23 NABC District 3 and ASUN Coach of the Year after leading Kennesaw State to both the regular season and tournament titles, and a school-record 26 wins.
USF has retired three numbers in its history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30), and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids, appeared in the NIT eight times, and won the 2019 College Basketball Invitational.
For tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com. Season tickets for the 2023-24 USF men’s basketball slate are on sale now. To purchase season tickets, click here
