Aazaar Abdul-Rahim

American football player and coach (born 1976)

Aazaar Abdul-Rahim
Current position
Title	Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive backs coach
Team	Maryland
Conference	Big 10
Biographical details
Born	(1976-11-01) November 1, 1976 (age 47) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Playing career
1995–1996	Mesa Community College
1997–1999	San Diego State
2000–2002	San Diego Riptide

Position(s)	Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2003–2013	Friendship Collegiate (DC)
2014	Alabama (analyst)
2015	Alabama (asst. DPP)
2016–2017	Maryland (DB)
2018	Maryland (CB)
2019	UMass (DC/CB)
2020	Boston College (DB)
2021–2022	Boston College (AHC/PGC/DB)
2023	Boston College (co-DC/DB)
2024–present	Maryland (co-DC/DB)

Aazaar Abdul-Rahim (born November 1, 1976) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Maryland. He served as the head football coach at Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School in his native Washington, D.C. from 2003 to 2013.

Playing career

Abdul-Rahim played defensive back for Mesa Community College from 1995 through 1996, before transferring to San Diego State. He played for the Aztecs from 1997 through 1999. Following his college career, he competed for the San Diego Riptide.^[1]

Coaching career

Friendship Collegiate Academy

Following his playing career, Abdul-Rahim founded the football program at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. in 2003. The school had only been open since 2000. The Knights started play in the 2004 season. After a winless inaugural season,^[2] Abdul-Rahim turned FCA into a national powerhouse, routinely playing top ranked teams from the area. In 2012, Abdul-Rahim led the Knight to a District of Columbia State Athletic Association championship. During his tenure, he won 62 games, and produced over 100 Division I football players.^[3]

Alabama

Abdul-Rahim joined the Alabama football staff as a defensive analyst for the 2014 season. The next season, he was promoted to assistant director of player personnel.^[1]

Maryland

In 2016, Abdul-Rahim joined new head coach D. J. Durkin's staff at Maryland as the defensive backs coach. He was also a huge part of the recruiting efforts, particularly for his ties to the D.C. area. Abdul-Rahim was named a top 25 recruiter by both Rivals.com and 247sports in 2017. In 2018, he shifted his focus from the entire secondary, to primarily working with the cornerbacks.^[1]

UMass

In 2019, new head coach Walt Bell hired Abdul-Rahim as the new defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at UMass.^[4]

Boston College

In 2020, new head coach Jeff Hafley hired Abdul-Rahim as the new defensive backs coach at Boston College Eagles football.^[5] Prior to the 2021 season, Abdul-Rahim was promoted to associate head coach and defensive pass game coordinator.^[6]

Personal life

Abdul-Rahim also founded “Cover One”, a defensive back training academy that has worked with dozens of NFL players.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Aazaar Abdul-Rahim". umterps.com. University of Maryland SID. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
^ Goldenbach, Alan (September 2, 2008). "Knights Have Finally Arrived". Washington Post. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
^ Ermann, Jeff (December 1, 2018). "Sources: Schools Pursuing Highly Regarded Maryland Assistant". 247sports.com. 247sports.com. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "Aazaar Abdul-Rahim". umassathletics.com. University of Massachusetts SID. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
^ Black, A. J. (2020-01-09). "Boston College Hires Aazaar Abdul-Rahim As Defensive Backs Coach". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
^ "Aazaar Abdul-Rahim". bceagles.com. Boston College SID. Retrieved January 1, 2022.