By: Mark Wasik
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State University men's basketball head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim today announced he has accepted the same position at the University of South Florida. Abdur-Rahim led the Owls to their first ASUN Conference regular season and tournament championship this year, as well as the school's first NCAA Division I Tournament.
"I want to thank our student-athletes, coaches, staff, Owl Nation and the Kennesaw Community for a historic four years at Kennesaw State," said Abdur-Rahim. "I want to send a special thanks to President Kathy Schwaig and Athletic Director Milton Overton for their support and trust in my vision for leading their Men's Basketball program. These decisions are never easy nor made without a ton of thought and prayer. My family and I are so appreciative of all the friends we have made here in Kennesaw and we are excited to meet the great people that make USF and the Tampa community so special."
KSU had a storybook season under Abdur-Rahim this year. He guided an Owl team picked eighth in the preseason ASUN coach's poll to a sweep of the conference regular season and tournament championships. That earned KSU its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, setting a record as the fastest team to ever reach the tournament after a one-win season, taking just three seasons. The 14th-seeded Owls took third-seeded Xavier to the limit, nearly pulling off the first round upset on March 17 in Greensboro in what was a one-point game in the final seconds before eventually falling 72-67.
KSU finished the year with a school record of 26-9 for the first-winning season in the school's D1 history. The previous record for wins in a season at KSU had been 14, while the Owls also set new program standards at the Division I level for conference victories (15), non-conference victories (eight) and road victories (10).
"We thank Amir Abdur-Rahim for his leadership for our men's basketball program and taking Kennesaw State University to new heights," said Director of Athletics Milton Overton. "He was intentional in his four seasons here for developing KSU into a championship-caliber program. It culminated with not only a banner season but produced years of academic achievement and community involvement. We wish Amir, his wife Arianne, his children, and their entire family success in the next step in their journey.
"Our KSU men's basketball program brought transformative visibility to the Kennesaw State University brand this season with its appearance in the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament," added Overton. "The future of our KSU men's basketball program is brighter than ever, and we intend to build upon the championship program that Owl Nation expects and deserves as we move to Conference USA in 2024."
"Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim built a program here that has raised our national profile, energized our current and prospective students, and inspired our alumni and others to support future academic and athletic success at Kennesaw State," said Kennesaw State President Kathy Schwaig. "I am grateful for his thoughtful leadership and for his belief in our students and University. Amir's legacy at KSU will last for years to come. We will miss him but wish him nothing but success in what is sure to be a long and successful career."
Current KSU Associate Head Coach Ben Fletcher will serve as the interim head coach, while a national search for the next head coach of Kennesaw State men's basketball will begin immediately. Parker Executive Search Firm has been engaged to assist with the process. Interest and recommendations should be directed to Daniel Parker (danielparker@parkersearch.com) with Parker Executive Search.
