South Florida names Ben Fletcher interim head coach

Ben Fletcher will take over as interim head coach of South Florida for the 2024-25 season after the death of Amir Abdur-Rahim last week, South Florida athletic director Michael Kelly announced in a press conference Tuesday.

"There is no question in my mind that Ben (Fletcher) is the right man to lead our program forward," Kelly said.

Fletcher was the associate head coach under Abdur-Rahim last season and helped the school to its first-ever ranking in the Associated Press poll while winning over 20 games for the first time since 2018-19. He also previously worked alongside Abdur-Rahim at Kennesaw State.

The Bulls won their first AAC regular-season title after going 25-8 overall and 16-2 in conference play.

"I'd like to thank everybody for your ongoing support," Fletcher said. "It's a difficult time, as you know, but I know coach Amir (Abdur-Rahim) would want me to do this."

Abdur-Rahim died on Thursday at the age of 43 due to complications of a medical procedure he was receiving at a Tampa-area hospital.

"Let's support this team to allow them to perform at their very best, to strive for championships, and to strive off the court for everything that Amir stood for," Kelly said Tuesday.

The Bulls will play their scheduled exhibition game Wednesday night against Edward Waters.

USF's first game of the regular season is against No. 21 Florida on Nov. 4.