Kennesaw State’s Amir Abdur-Rahim hired as men’s basketball coach
USF Athletics Director Michael Kelly announced the hire of former Kennesaw State head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Wednesday afternoon, filling the role that former men’s basketball coach Brian Gregory previously held.
Welcome to the Bay, @SunsetAMIR ‼️
A dynamic new leader for @USFMBB 🏀
📝https://t.co/4I2ziCEpBf#HornsUp🤘 pic.twitter.com/eg9oimQ8g8— USF Athletics (@USFAthletics) March 29, 2023
Although it was confirmed by USF Athletics in the late afternoon, the Twitter buzz of his hire began around noon on Wednesday when CBS Sports reporter Jon Rothstein broke the news.
Sources: Kennesaw State's Amir Abdur-Rahim is finalizing a deal to be the next head coach at South Florida. Official announcement expected soon.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 29, 2023
The addition of Abdur-Rahim will be a landmark addition for the men’s team, considering his previous rebuilding of the Kennesaw State program.
Abdur-Rahim transformed the Owls from a one-win program to an NCAA Tournament appearance in just four seasons after his hire in 2019. He guided Kennesaw State to its first Atlantic Sun title and was named ASUN Coach of the Year in 2023.
Kennesaw State fell to Xavier in the first round of this year’s tournament, nearly upsetting the No. 3 seeded Musketeers in the first NCAA tournament.
New #USF MBB Coach Amir Abdur-Rahimpic.twitter.com/52LdWEPnSk
— 🤘Sidelines-USF🤘 (@SSN_USF) March 29, 2023
He comes to USF with a 45-74 career record, spending time as an assistant at top programs Texas A&M and Georgia before receiving his first head coaching role in 2019.
Mike Brey, former Notre Dame coach and Utah State coach Ryan Odom were thought to be the Bulls’ top candidates, but Brey decided to work in TV while Odom accepted a position at VCU on Wednesday, according to an article by Bleacher Report.
On set for CBS’ NCAA March Madness 360 — the action keeps heating up! pic.twitter.com/k7FF9DBW3y
— Mike Brey (@coach_mikebrey) March 18, 2023
This is a developing story. Stay with The Oracle for updates.
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