USF has found its permanent replacement for Amir Abdur-Rahim.
USF introduced Bryan Hodsgon as the 12th head coach in program history on Friday, ushering in a new era just five months after Abdur-Rahim’s unexpected death from surgical complications.
Hodgson promised he will bring an “up-tempo” and “blue-collar” brand of basketball to the Yuengling Center.
“We’re going to play fast, analytically efficient basketball a lot like the NBA,” Hodgson said. “While playing fast, we’re also going to be disciplined.”
USF hired Hodsgon last Monday, just days after the Bulls announced the head coach search. Ben Fletcher, the interim coach after Abdur-Rahim’s death, led the Bulls to a 13-19 record last season.
He spent two seasons at Arkansas State, leading the Red Wolves to a program-record 25 wins and their first NIT appearance since 1991.
“I found myself in a position to move on,” Hodgson said. “The last week has absolutely been a dream come true for me.”
He was an assistant under Nate Oats at Buffalo and Alabama from 2015-2023. Hodgson played a key role in recruiting Brandon Miller to Alabama, an All-American in his lone college season and the No. 2 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 2023.
As a top recruiter under Oats for almost a decade, Hodgson said relationships are “everything to him.”
“In an era where college basketball is transactional, I strive to be as genuine as possible and make decisions based on the people,” he said.
That recruiting finesse is already paying off for USF. The Bulls have already flipped four-star forward Tristan Beckford and three-star guard Adriel Nyorha from Arkansas State.
Hodgson also paid tribute to Abdur-Rahim, who led the Bulls to a program-record 25 wins in his lone season at USF.
He said he would strive to maintain the “core values” Abdur-Rahim set forth – trust, responsibility, unity, toughness and humility.
“Amir embodied every single one of these traits,” Hodgson said. “We will honor him every time we step foot in this building.”
