American Conference names Amir Abdur-Rahim honorary coach of the year, and names award after him

[u/Groundbreaking-Box89]

https://x.com/American_Conf/status/1877023086480146742

[u/HOU-1836]

This story still makes me sad as fuck.

[u/willweaverrva → u/HOU-1836]

It's still a huge gut punch because that man was going to be a top tier power conference coach one day, not to mention he was a great human being in general.

[u/SilverBackGuerilla]

The AAC AAR Award. I like it.

[u/IVIrSmith]

What a classy move by the AAC

[u/LV_Blue-Zebras_Homer]

What happened was tragic, yes.

Unpopular opinion:

However, this is stupid. Just like naming the USF student section after him is stupid. He was in the conference 1 year and the school 1 year.

[u/Groundbreaking-Box89 → u/LV_Blue-Zebras_Homer]

I guarantee you he had a significant impact in just that one year. I and every other person to have met him will tell you the exact same thing: He always propped up everyone else around him, and he was universally respected as a person. On top of that he performed one of the most impressive program turnarounds ever.

If anyone deserved an award named after them, it's him. The AAC just so happens to be the conference who had him most recently.

[u/WeathrNinja → u/Groundbreaking-Box89]

As someone who watched his rise in the ASUN I completely agree. It may have been just one year but he was clearly destined for greatness and was highly respected by everyone that knew him. That win over Liberty to punch Kennesaw’s first ticket was incredible.

[u/willweaverrva → u/LV_Blue-Zebras_Homer]

He did A LOT for that school in that one year. USF was in a steep decline and he brought joy to that school and its fan base again. They had a packed house for a NIT game against VCU, and that game was an instant classic. I think he earned that honor.

[u/PaidUSA → u/LV_Blue-Zebras_Homer]

Unpopular opinion you know next to nothing about him and his impact. Those making the decisions about honoring him do. So your opinion is worthless.

[u/Meanteenbirder]

Good, but should also give a regular COTY award too.

[u/willweaverrva → u/Meanteenbirder]

He's not around to coach, so that wouldn't make sense, but naming the award for him permanently is an even greater honor than just being COTY for one year.