TAMPA BAY SPORTS SCENE. There are times when sports takes a back seat to the trials and tribulations of humanity. Today was one of those moments in Tampa Bay when I learned of the passing of University of South Florida Bulls Head Men's Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim earlier today.

In a press release from USF Associate AD for Communications & Broadcasting Brian Segrist, the 43 year old AAC 2023-24 Coach of the year "was undergoing a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital when he passed away due to complications that arose during the procedure."

This one hits home on a very personal level. I can recall, the opening home game of the 2023-24 campaign against South Carolina State. I was, and this is what will astound you, the ONLY member of the media outside USF that was in attendance and it wasn't the only time that occurred. I asked Coach Amir what his major goal was for the season and with a wry smile he looked me right in the eye responding, "When we win the AAC, I'll make sure you get a piece of the net."

Now, I'll be honest with. On that point, I thought Coach Amir was being delusional. He inherited a team that was 14-18 overall and 7-11 in the AAC. An almost total roster overhaul was in progress. Nothing looked different other than the man running the program.

In fact, after the first six games it looked like business as usual for the Green & Gold. USF was 2-4 losing three straight and heading for a date with Florida State in The Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. An almost certain fourth consecutive defeat was on the horizon.

Then, what seemed to be the impossible happened. The season took a complete 180 with a resounded defeat of the Seminoles that led to a six-game winning streak that was stopped by a close road loss at UAB but that was a precursor of what would transpire.

The Bulls went on an unbelievable 15-game winning streak and climbing to #25 in the national poll. When I asked Coach Amir just what happened he had a simple answer and it was, "We became connected."

When South Florida clinched their first AAC regular season crown and the players and coaches cut down the nets, Coach Amir presented me with a piece of the net in the post game press conference. As always, a man of his word and that piece of nylon sits in a prominent position on my home office desk.

From this day forward, I'll make sure I take a look at that momento of the Bulls dream season. I'll fondly remember how Coach Amir would start all his postgame press conferences by professing, "Giving glory to God" and today, although he was brought home far sooner than his family and friends liked, he's basking in that glory.

So, I don't say Rest In Peace, Coach Amir. I say Rest In Peace, My Friend. You WILL be missed.