South Florida plans coaching search after Ben Fletcher served in interim role this season
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — South Florida will conduct a national search for a new men's basketball coach after Ben Fletcher filled the role on an interim basis this season following the death of Amir Abdur-Rahim.
Abdur-Rahim died at the age of 43 on Oct. 24, 11 days before South Florida’s season opener. The Bulls went 13-19 overall and 6-12 in the American Athletic Conference this season under Fletcher, who previously had served as an assistant on Abdur-Rahim’s staffs at Kennesaw State and South Florida.
The Bulls lost their last five games, including a 73-68 decision against Wichita State in the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday.
“We are eternally grateful to interim head coach Ben Fletcher for his leadership under extraordinary circumstances this season. I also want to thank our staff and student-athletes for their resilience,” South Florida vice president for athletics Michael Kelly said in a statement released by the school. “Coach Amir would be so proud. A national search is underway for our next head basketball coach.”
Abdur-Rahim died from complications that presented while he was undergoing a procedure at a Tampa-area hospital. He coached one season at South Florida and led the Bulls to a 25-8 record and American Athletic Conference regular-season title. He had taken over South Florida’s program after leading Kennesaw State to a 26-9 record and NCAA Tournament appearance during the 2022-23 season.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Topics
-
USF parts ways with interim men's basketball coach Ben Fletcher
USF men's basketball coach Ben Fletcher was given an impossible task to replace Amir Abdur-Rahim after he tragicallyYahoo Sports - 6h -
Minnesota fires men's basketball coach Ben Johnson after 4 seasons with 56-71 record
Minnesota fires men's basketball coach Ben Johnson after 4 seasons with 56-71 recordABC News - 1d -
Minnesota fires coach Ben Johnson after 4 seasons at alma mater with 56-71 record
Minnesota fired coach Ben Johnson after four years of repeatedly rebuilding rosters at his alma materABC News - 1d -
Minnesota fires Johnson after 4 years as coach
Ben Johnson had served as Minnesota coach since 2021-22 but was unable to return the Gophers to the NCAA tournament.ESPN - 1d -
Former Westover basketball coach George Stackhouse tabbed to lead Berean Baptist
After serving a season as assistant coach at Berean Baptist, a Fayetteville coaching giant is the Bulldogs' new head coach.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Virginia parts ways with interim coach Ron Sanchez as Cavaliers officially turn page on Tony Bennett era
The Cavaliers will go in a new direction after a 15-17 season that followed Tony Bennett's sudden retirementCBS Sports - 2d -
Iowa dismisses coach McCaffery after 15 seasons
Iowa's men's basketball program dismissed McCaffery after 15 seasons as coach of the Hawkeyes, the school announced Friday.ESPN - 32m -
College basketball coaching changes: Iowa ousts Fran McCaffery, Ben Johnson fired at Minnesota
Matt Norlander has the latest intel on what's happening in coaching searches nationwide, as movement on Friday is inevitableCBS Sports - 7h -
Virginia splits with interim head coach Ron Sanchez after ACC tournament loss
The move came shortly after the Cavaliers fell to Georgia Tech in the ACC tournament on Wednesday.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
No. 1 Duke holds off furious North Carolina rally to win 74-71, reach ACC title game without Flagg
Kon Knueppel scored 17 points and No. 1 Duke held off a furious second half rally by rival North Carolina to beat its rival for the third time this season, 74-71 on Friday night to reach the ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Siakam scores 27 points and helps Pacers rally with big second half to beat the 76ers 112-100
Pascal Siakam scored 17 of his 27 points in the second half, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-100 on Friday night. Myles Turner added 18 points and seven rebounds, while ...Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Detroit Red Wings find their wind too late in 4-2 loss to Carolina Hurricanes
Detroit Red Wings score: Michael Rasmussen got the Wings within a goal early in the third, but that was it in a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
17-year-old Andreeva advances to Indian Wells final, beating Swiatek in chilly conditions
Yahoo Sports - 35m -
F1 Australian GP LIVE: Qualifying start time and practice updates as Ollie Bearman crashes again
Follow live build-up to qualifying in Melbourne with Charles Leclerc top of the leaderboardYahoo Sports - 35m
More in Sports
-
No. 1 Duke holds off furious North Carolina rally to win 74-71, reach ACC title game without Flagg
Kon Knueppel scored 17 points and No. 1 Duke held off a furious second half rally by rival North Carolina to beat its rival for the third time this season, 74-71 on Friday night to reach the ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Bruno hits back at Ratcliffe's 'overpaid' comments
Bruno Fernandes has hit back at Sir Jim Ratcliffe's suggestion that some Manchester United players are overpaid by telling the British billionaire "the club agrees to do the contracts."ESPN - 18m -
Siakam scores 27 points and helps Pacers rally with big second half to beat the 76ers 112-100
Pascal Siakam scored 17 of his 27 points in the second half, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-100 on Friday night. Myles Turner added 18 points and seven rebounds, while ...Yahoo Sports - 21m -
Detroit Red Wings find their wind too late in 4-2 loss to Carolina Hurricanes
Detroit Red Wings score: Michael Rasmussen got the Wings within a goal early in the third, but that was it in a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
75 years of innovation: How F1 has evolved since 1950 and where it's headed
To celebrate F1's 75th anniversary, ESPN charts the sport's evolution since 1950 through its most iconic cars, and details where it's headed in 2026.ESPN - 30m