Ben Fletcher will serve as the USF interim head coach for the 2024-25 season, athletic director Micheal Kelly announced during a Tuesday press conference.
Kelly said that there was “no doubt” that Fletcher would be the right man to lead the Bulls forward following last week’s tragic news.
USF head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim died last Thursday due to complications from a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital. A celebration of life will be held at the Yuengling Center on Saturday morning.
Abdur-Rahim and Fletcher shared a close bond. They spent the past five seasons coaching together, including four years at Kennesaw State, where Fletcher was an assistant coach.
USF brought on Fletcher as an assistant coach in 2023, just a month after Abdur-Rahim’s hiring.
During the press conference, Fletcher was visibly fighting back tears when talking about losing his close friend.
“What he left me with is special,” Fletcher said. “I just want to make sure his family can be a part of this because it’s what he would have wanted.”
Fletcher spent 14 seasons as an assistant at Troy, helping guide the Trojans to their first two NCAA tournament appearances in 2003 and 2017.
His experience will be crucial for a Bulls team that was reeling from the loss of their three top scorers, now coupled with the tragic loss of their head coach.
The Bulls will play an exhibition game Wednesday against Edward Waters. USF will begin their regular season next Tuesday against Florida.
