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Selma native Ben Fletcher has been named the interim South Florida men’s basketball head coach for the 2024-25 season, following the tragic passing of head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim last week.

Fletcher served as assistant head coach during the 2023-24 season and was promoted to associate head coach in June 2024.

“I’d like to thank everybody for their ongoing support,” Fletcher said during his introductory press conference Tuesday. “It’s a difficult time as you know, but I know that Coach Amir would want me to do this. I don’t take it lightly.”

Fletcher said his goal right now is to make sure the team gets the support they need from a counseling and support perspective.

“They knew coach loved them. I think they know the staff loves them,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher and Abdur-Rahim knew each other for a long time, from their times as competitors in college up to coaching together at Kennesaw State and USF. However, Abdur-Rahim kept telling Fletcher to prepare for his time as head coach.

“The one thing he would always tell me, even being back at Kennesaw, he would always say, ‘Man, you’re ready,’” Fletcher said. “‘God is preparing you for this, and soon you’re going to get your opportunity and show everybody what you’re capable of.’ That’s just who he was.”

After graduating from Selma, Fletcher earned a Bachelor of Science in sport and fitness management in 2003 from then Troy State University. Fletcher also has the distinction of being a member of both Trojan squads that reached the NCAA Tournament, first as a player on the 2002-03 team and then as a coach with the 2016-17 team.

Prior to his time at USF, Fletcher spent four seasons as an assistant coach under Abdur-Rahim at Kennesaw State. The Owls went from one win in 2019-20 to a school-record 26 wins in 2022-23 and the program’s first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance. Fletcher also spent 14 seasons as an assistant coach at Troy University from 2005-19. 

During the 2023-24 season, USF compiled a 25-8 record and won their first regular-season conference championship. They were also ranked in the top 25 for the first time in program history.