University of Maryland Athletics

Abdul-Rahim, a Washington, D.C. native who has deep ties to the DMV area, is in his second stint at Maryland, having also coached for the Terps from 2016-18. He has experience at the high school and collegiate levels, with stops at Alabama, Boston College and serving as the Head Coach at Friendship Collegiate Academy in DC from 2004-13.

Abdul-Rahim arrived back at Maryland in 2024 after spending four years coaching at Boston College. He was elevated prior to the 2023 season to serve as BC’s co-defensive coordinator, while retaining his coaching responsibilities with the Eagle defensive backs.

The Boston College secondary flourished under Abdul-Rahim’s tutelage, ranking fourth in the ACC by allowing just 197.1 yards per game through the air in 2023. Abdul-Rahim mentored First Team All-ACC selection Elijah Jones, who led the conference in interceptions (5) and passes defended (13).

A pair of BC defensive backs earned All-ACC honors in 2022 with Jones and safety Jaiden Woodbey claiming Honorable Mention accolades. As a team, the BC secondary was fifth in the ACC at 211.1 passing yards allowed per game.

Adbul-Rahim and his secondary helped BC rank third nationally in passing yards allowed (173.5 per game) during the 2021 season. The Eagles were also top-30 nationally in six other defensive categories: total defense, red zone defense, first downs allowed, third down percentage, team passing efficiency, and defensive touchdowns.

Abdul-Rahim oversaw the development of Josh DeBerry into an All-ACC cornerback. DeBerry was named All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2020 and earned All-ACC Second Team honors in 2021. He was rated 19th nationally among all cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus for the 2021 season. Cornerback Brandon Sebastian earned a spot on the All-ACC Third Team after leading the conference in interceptions (4), while safety Jaiden Woodbey was All-ACC Honorable Mention. 

In his first season in Chestnut Hill, Abdul-Rahim made an instant impact in coaching the Eagles’ defensive backs and helping improve the defense 52 spots in the national rankings in total defense. Boston College allowed 62 fewer yards per game on defense in 2020 compared to the previous year.

On the recruiting trail, Abdul-Rahim showed his prowess as one of the top recruiters in college football, helping to secure two of the top recruiting classes in school history while at BC. The 2021 and 2022 signing classes earned ESPN's best ranking in program history since its rankings began in 2006. BC also earned its best showing in the 247Sports rankings and was awarded its first Rivals top-30 class since 2004.

Abdul-Rahim came to Boston College after spending the 2019 season at UMass as defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach. Prior to UMass, Abdul-Rahim spent three seasons at Maryland working in the secondary. Abdul-Rahim developed Maryland’s defensive backs into one of the strongest units in the Big Ten, with all-conference recognition given to Darnell Savage, Jr. and Antoine Brooks, Jr. in 2017 and 2018, JC Jackson in 2017 and Tino Ellis in 2018.

In addition to his coaching duties, Abdul-Rahim was instrumental in the Terps’ recruiting efforts. He was a key factor in Maryland signing a consensus top-20 recruiting class in 2017 and a top-30 group in 2018. During his final two years as a member of the staff, Maryland inked 17 four-star student-athletes and eight members of the ESPN300 to National Letters of Intent. As a result, Abdul-Rahim was recognized by 247Sports in 2018 as one of the top recruiting assistant coaches in the Big Ten.

Overall, 2018 was a rousing success on the recruiting trail and in the secondary for the Terrapins. Abdul-Rahim assisted with the recruiting efforts as Maryland collected a consensus top-30 class before helping the Terps’ defense develop into one of the most disruptive in the nation. The defense recorded 23 turnovers forced, including 18 interceptions and five fumble recoveries, and added 32 pass breakups. The 18 interceptions ranked tied for the fifth-most in FBS during the season.

In 2017, Abdul-Rahim was vital in aiding the Terps in landing nine of the top 20 players from the state of Maryland and three of the top nine players from Washington, D.C. Rivals.com and 247Sports recognized him as one of the top 25 recruiters nationally for the class of 2017.

Abdul-Rahim also made an impact coaching Maryland's defensive backs. In 2017, the Terps posted 10 interceptions on the year, which ranked as the most for a Maryland team since 2003.

Abdul-Rahim joined the Maryland staff in 2016 after a two-year stint at Alabama where he first served as a defensive analyst in 2014 before he was promoted to the assistant director of player personnel in 2015.

During his two seasons at Alabama, the Crimson Tide were selected for the College Football Playoffs in both years and won the national championship in 2015. Additionally, Alabama collected the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the nation during each season, according to 247Sports.

Abdul-Rahim made his mark in his hometown as the head coach of Friendship Collegiate Academy. After he founded the school’s football program in 2004, Abdul-Rahim turned it into a national powerhouse and accumulated 62 wins during his tenure while he also led the team to a District of Columbia State Athletic Association championship in 2012. He helped over 100 players earn scholarships to play college football.

Abdul-Rahim is also the founder “Cover One”, a defensive back training academy that works with dozens of NFL players on skill development.

Abdul-Rahim played three seasons at San Diego State (1997-1999) after a stint at Mesa Community College. After college, the Dunbar High School standout competed for the San Diego Riptide of the Arena Football League.

Updated July 23, 2025