Unanimous AAC Coach of the Year selection has led the Bulls to 23 wins and the first-ever regular season conference title
 
ATLANTA (March 15, 2024) – After orchestrating one of the top turnarounds in college basketball and leading the University of South Florida men's basketball team to its first-ever regular season conference title, Bulls head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year.
 
The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced 10 semifinalists for the award on Friday. The finalists for Coach of the Year will be announced on March 25. 
 
A unanimous choice for American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Abdur-Rahim has led USF to a 23-6 (16-2, AAC) record and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament as the Bulls claimed the program's first-ever regular season conference title with a two-game cushion. USF opens AAC Tournament play in Fort Worth, Texas Friday at 1 p.m. vs. No. 8 seed ECU on ESPN2.
 
USF's win total marks a nine-win improvement over 2022-23, among the top 20 improvements in the nation in 2023-24 and just the sixth 20-win season in program history. The Bulls' 23 wins are the program's most-ever in the regular season and one off the program record of 24 wins set in 2018-19.
 
USF earned its first-ever Top 25 ranking in men's basketball during the season, reaching as high as No. 24 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls. The Bulls' 16 wins in conference play are the most in program history and USF held the longest win streak in the nation, posting 15 straight victories in conference play to register the program's longest-ever win streak. Abdur-Rahim is the only USF coach to win their regular season debut and their conference debut.
 
USF guard Chris Youngblood (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) was named the AAC Co-Player of the Year, becoming the first Bull to earn such an honor since USF Hall of Famer Charlie Bradley in 1983. Youngblood also became the program's first all-conference first-team selection since Dominique Jones in 2010. Meanwhile, senior guard Selton Miguel (Luanda, Angola) earned AAC Sixth Man of the Year, AAC Most Improved Player and second-team all-conference honors, and freshman guard Jayden Reid (Westbury, N.Y.) was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team.
 
Once again, fans will have the chance to vote for the winner. Starting March 26, fans can visit www.naismithfanvote.com or on Twitter (@MarchMadnessMBB) and (@naismithtrophy) to cast their ballot for one of the four Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year finalists.
 
The 10 semifinalists for the award are listed below:
 
Semifinalist List

Amir Abdur-Rahim	South Florida
Hubert Davis	North Carolina
Dan Hurley	UConn
T.J. Otzelberger	Iowa State
Matt Painter	Purdue
Lamont Paris	South Carolina
Kelvin Sampson	Houston
Josh Schertz	Indiana State
Kyle Smith	Washington State
Danny Sprinkle	Utah State

 
Next Up
The Bulls begin the American Athletic Conference Tournament play on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas. South Florida, the No. 1 seed, will play No. 8 East Carolina at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
 
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF men's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
 
ABOUT USF MEN'S BASKETBALL
The South Florida men's basketball team is led by Amir Abdur-Rahim, who was named the 11th head coach in program history on March 29, 2023. Abdur-Rahim was named the 2023 Mid-Major Coach of the Year (Hugh Durham Award) after leading Kennesaw State to its first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament berth in 2022-23. Abdur-Rahim's Kennesaw State team set an NCAA record as the fastest team to ever reach the NCAA Tournament after a one-win campaign, accomplishing the feat in a span of just three seasons. He was also named the 2022-23 NABC District 3 and ASUN Coach of the Year after leading Kennesaw State to both the regular season and tournament titles, and a school-record 26 wins.
 
USF has retired three numbers in its history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30), and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids, appeared in the NIT eight times, and won the 2019 College Basketball Invitational.
 
For tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com. Season tickets for the 2023-24 USF men's basketball slate are on sale now. To purchase season tickets, click here.