USF celebrates love-fueled life of basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

TAMPA — The consummate relationship-builder had myriad ways of tapping into the soft spot of a psyche. Amir Abdur-Rahim could do it with harsh words and horseplay, with piercing stares and pillow fights.

Or sometimes, all of the above, as Jayden Reid discovered one surreal evening last season. A USF freshman point guard, Reid had struggled during practice, failing to communicate on the court and betraying a sullen attitude. As a result, Abdur-Rahim berated him, then booted him from the facility.

But later that night, as he sat in his bedroom doing homework, Reid's 42-year-old coach appeared in his doorway unannounced — and unabashed.

"It's 9 p.m., Tuesday night," Reid recalled. "Coach Amir runs through my door, jumps on my bed, is play-fighting with me, hitting me with pillows, putting me in chokeholds. It was just crazy, because he's the head coach of (USF) and I'm just a little freshman from New York, and that just shows who Coach Amir is."

Inspired by his coach's love, equal parts tough and tenderhearted, Reid ultimately was chosen to the American Athletic Conference all-freshman squad. On Saturday, he was one of two Bulls players to speak on behalf of the team inside the dimly lit Yuengling Center as the life of Abdur-Rahim, who made love the common denominator in all his personal interactions, was celebrated nine days after his death at age 43.

"He made his impact by loving others," said his wife, Arianne.

Abdur-Rahim, set to embark on his second season as USF coach, died Oct. 24 due to complications arising from a surgical procedure at a local hospital. In his lone season on the Bulls bench, he guided a program that hadn't experienced a winning season in five years to a school-record 25 victories, its first regular season conference title and Associated Press ranking, and an NIT berth.

In the process, he won over a community as profoundly as he won on the floor.

"He went out of his way to find a common link with everyone he met," USF athletic director Michael Kelly said, "no matter how big or small that link might be."

With several Bulls sports teams in attendance, Saturday's assortment of speakers echoed Abdur-Rahim's personal mantra — "Love Wins" — during a 90-minute service. A rectangular floral arrangement featured those two words etched in green, with a white background and yellow border. A handful of video tributes were shown on screens above the stage.

An assortment of songs — all of them soft, many spiritual — from the coach's personal collection wafted through the arena during the celebration.

"He was a soldier of love," Kelly said. "And I truly believe he'll be watching us all from above to make sure we apply the discipline it takes to make sure that love wins each and every day."

The fourth of 13 children from a blended family, Abdur-Rahim's late father was an Islamic prayer leader who managed a trucking company by night, and his mom was a teacher's assistant. Former NBA All-Star Shareef Abdur-Rahim — Amir's older sibling — said their father, William, was each of the children's first coach.

New Bulls interim coach Ben Fletcher, an Abdur-Rahim assistant for a half-decade, described his boss as "slack funny" and stubborn, a foodie with a sprawling palate, a debater who relished a good sports argument and a "music savant" whose playlist featured everything from Taylor Swift to Nipsey Hussle.

"Our father taught us that if you want God to love you, leave alone what is others' and share what is yours," Shareef Abdur-Rahim said, his voice cracking periodically. "And that just exemplified (Amir)."

In a fleeting 574-day tenure as USF coach, Abdur-Rahim shared his triumphs, resources, deep-seated faith and emotions with the Bulls community at large. Saturday's speakers talked of how he'd arrive spontaneously at the student center and purchase coffee, doughnuts or pizza for students.

They noted how he opened every postgame news conference — win or lose — by uttering, "To God be the glory." They reflected on how he joined the raucous scrum in the student section — known as SoFlo Rodeo — after big wins.

On Saturday, President Rhea Law said that section would be renamed the Amir Abdur-Rahim Student Section. Kelly said Kennesaw State — the Georgia university that Abdur-Rahim transformed from a one-win team in 2020 to an NCAA Tournament qualifier in 2023 — and USF have agreed to a home-and-home series that will be called the "Love Wins Classic."

"And there's more," Law added. "We will honor Coach Amir's legacy by building a permanent tribute within the Yuengling Center for students and fans to connect with during basketball games. Coming soon."

Flanked by her three small children, Abdur-Rahim's widow implored the audience to honor her late husband in an equally enduring way — by keeping his spirit alive in a way that will resonate with her kids.

"This is where I ask you to pay it humbly to my children," Arianne Abdur-Rahim said amid sobs. "You had the honor of knowing their father. Sadly, they will never know him as adults. But with your help, they can know him through the impact he made on you."

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