Memorial services for Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim at KSU, USF
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State University and the University of South Florida are holding celebration of life services for Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, their former men's basketball coach who died in Tampa from medical complications.
Abdur-Rahim, 43, was being treated at a Tampa-area hospital on Oct. 24 when he passed away unexpectedly during a procedure.
KSU Celebration of Life for Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim
A memorial service celebrating the life of former Kennesaw State University men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim drew many people to KSU’s campus on Sunday.
Inside the convocation center at KSU, two school communities, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Abdur-Rahim paid tribute to the beloved coach who is remembered for his spirit both on and off the court.
"He approached each day with confidence, reminding us all that every moment is an opportunity to inspire and uplift others," Kennesaw State University President Kathy Schwaig said during her remarks at the ceremony.
To many, Abdur-Rahim was regarded as a man of faith, a teacher, friend, husband, father, and mentor who led with compassion—setting an example for his student athletes.
"He took a team that many had given up on and instilled a sense of belief, hard work and resilience," Schwaig said.
On Sunday, story after story of his love for family, coaching philosophy and career success echoed through the convocation center.
"The last time I saw Amir, it was in this convocation center, but he wasn’t here to see a basketball game, folks… he was here for graduation," Schwaig said.
His record was one that changed the trajectory of the men’s basketball programs at both Kennesaw State University where he’d spent four years and the University of South Florida where he’d coached just one full season.
"In 18 months' time in Tampa Bay, he pulled together an entire university," USF VP of Athletics Michael Kelly recalled.
A common theme throughout remarks shared by friends and loved ones, he made everyone he encountered better.
"He was more than my friend, he was my brother," another friend said.
While it was clear his loss leaves a great hole in the lives of those closest to him, there was a sense of gratitude to have known the man they described as a source of inspiration.
USF Celebration of Life for Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim
University of South Florida (USF), where Abdur-Rahim was preparing for his second year as head coach, has also planned a ceremony.
That event will take place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 2, at the Yuengling Center.
FOX 5 Atlanta and FOX 13 Tampa Bay are working on learning more information about this event.
Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim's legacy
Amir Abdur-Rahim, a native of Marietta, Georgia, and a revered coach in the collegiate basketball community, will be remembered fondly for his contributions both on and off the court.
With his 43 years of life, he was able to touch so many lives from Atlanta, across the larger national basketball arena. His impact started in the paint as a successful athlete.
Abdur-Rahim was a 2004 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where he set records, establishing himself as a three-time All-Southland Conference guard for the Lions. He finished out his collegiate career ranking seventh for points scored, and second for three-pointers made and steals. As a freshman at Garden City (Kansas) Community College, he ranked No. 24 nationally in scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game.
FORT WORTH, TX - MARCH 15: South Florida Bulls head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim settles his team during the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament game between the East Carolina Pirates and South Florida Bulls on March 15, 2024 at Dickies Ar
Abdur-Rahim hung up his jersey and picked up a whistle for a graduate assistant gig at Murray State in 2006. He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to a full-time assistant coach.
From Murray State, he went to the College of Charleston, Texas A&M and even helped coach and recruit at the University of Georgia.
In fact, he had such an influence in recruitment at UGA that he's been given credit for playing an instrumental role in signing Anthony Edwards, who later became the No. 1 overall draft pick in the NBA.
On April 18, 2019, Abdur-Rahim rose again. He was named the head coach at Kennesaw State.
BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 23: Kennesaw State Owls head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim looks on during a college basketball game against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 23, 2022 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
During his four-year tenure at KSU, Abdur-Rahim led the Owls to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance and ASUN conference title in the 2022-23 season. To sweeten the pot, he was named the 2023 ASUN Coach of the Year.
With his stellar track record at KSU, he went on to the University of South Florida where, in his first year, he led the team to their first Top 25 ranking in the AP Men's College Basketball Poll.
Some of his other honors as a collegiate basketball coach include:
- 2024 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
- 2024 NABC District 24 Coach of the Year
- 2023 NABC District 3 Coach of the Year
- 2023 Hugh Durham Award (Division I Mid-Major Coach of the Year)
- 2023 Georgia Men’s College Coach of the Year by the Atlanta Tipoff Club
Despite all the accolades, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim's most prized positions were arguably those of husband and father.
His legacy lives on through his wife, Arianne, and three young children; two daughters, Laila and Lana, and son, Aydin.