Knight resigns from Texas Tech

***Jolie77*** · 02-04-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Knight resigns from Texas Tech
School confirms departure; son Pat takes over team

Bob Knight, who won three national titles at Indiana, resigned from Texas Tech on Monday after 42 years as a head coach.

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Bob Knight, known as much for his fiery temper as his basketball brilliance, resigned Monday at Texas Tech, handing the team over to his son.

It was a stunning midseason move by the winningest men's coach in major college basketball, who gave no hint a change was coming. Pat Knight, a Red Raiders assistant, was appointed his father's successor in 2005.

"There's a transition that's going to take place here from me to Pat and I've dwelt on this all year long ... how it would be best for him and for the team and for what we can do in the long run to make this the best thing for Texas Tech," Knight told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which first reported the resignation.

The 67-year-old Knight informed Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers of his decision in a meeting around noon Monday, Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance told The Associated Press. Knight then called Hance and told him.

"He's ready," Pat Knight said during his weekly radio show. "He's tired."

Hance said: "I think Bob is through with coaching. I think he got to the point where it wasn't fun for him.

"He thought about it Sunday all day and talked to his wife and decided 'This is something I want to do."'

The Red Raiders beat Oklahoma State 67-60 on Saturday, giving Knight his 902nd victory. He won national titles at Indiana in 1976, '81 and '87.

"I guess you can never be surprised at some of the things Bob does," former UCLA coach John Wooden told the AP. "I don't think there's ever been a better teacher of the game of basketball than Bob. I don't always approve of his methods, but his players for the most part are very loyal to him. I would say that no player that ever played for him would not say he did not come out a stronger person."

In September, Knight signed a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2011-12 season.

"I didn't know, I've never really known when I was going to step down from this job. As I thought about it, my first thought was at the end of this season," Knight told the Lubbock paper. "My thinking was .. the best thing for the long run for this team would be for Pat and his staff to coach these remaining 10 games."

Knight arrived at Texas Tech in March 2001, six months after being fired by Indiana for what school officials there called a "pattern of unacceptable behavior."

In his first six years at Tech, he led the Red Raiders to five 20-win seasons, a first at the school. They are 12-8 this season, including Knight's 900th victory last month against Texas A&M.

Texas Tech's next game is Wednesday night at Baylor.

Knight passed former North Carolina coach Dean Smith as the winningest Division I coach Jan. 1, 2007, getting career win No. 880. To celebrate the milestone Knight chose "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, a mantra for how he navigated his personal and professional worlds.

"Bob is kind of a funny guy. He always loved that song `My Way,' and this is another example," Hance said.

Back then, Knight explained why "My Way" was so fitting.

"I've simply tried to do what I think is best," Knight said. "Regrets? Sure. Just like the song. I have regrets. I wish I could have done things better at times. I wish I would have had a better answer, a better way, at times. But just like he said, I did it my way and when I look back on it, I don't think my way was all that bad."

Knight has been a college coach for 42 years. He broke in at Army in 1965, but made his mark in 29 years at Indiana.

He's a complex package, someone who can hit a policeman, throw a chair across the court or be accused of wrapping his hands around a player's neck, yet has never been in trouble for breaking NCAA rules, always has a high graduation rate and gave his salary back a few years ago because he didn't think he'd earned it.

"I am very fortunate and blessed to have played for him. He made me a better man and for that I am grateful," former Indiana star and current New Mexico coach Steve Alford said.

Knight got his 100th victory at Army, then moved to Indiana, where his Hoosiers went 662-239 from 1971-2000.

His first NCAA title came in 1976 when Indiana went undefeated, a feat no team has accomplished since. In 1984, he coached the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in Los Angeles.

When he began his coaching career at Army, he was 24, the youngest-ever Division I coach. Knight won 20 or more games in 29 seasons.

"Today was the most relaxed and relieved I've seen him in a long time," Pat Knight said during his show. "He thought about doing it a year ago but he didn't want people to think he was just staying for the record. So he kind of pushed himself to go one more year."

SI.com - NCAA Basketball - Bob Knight resigns from Texas Tech - Monday February 4, 2008 9:51PM

I didn't think I'd see this happen. I'm originally from Indiana and growing up, I've always was into rooting for the Hoosiers, and especially Bobby Knight as well.

I wish the best for Bobby Knight. He has done his job and he's left the basketball coaching legacy to his son.

Roadrunner · 02-04-2008, 09:27 PM

This sure comes as a big surprise--but then again, all those years out on court was more than enough and perhaps it was time to venture into other things in life and have more time with family.

I sure can remember many times when Iowa Hawkeyes played Indiana in the Big Ten basketball conference years ago--so much intensity in those games too!

Hopefully many will remember his coaching endeavors as someone who was indeed an expert coaching/teaching players than some of his wildy outbursts that were played out during games and off court.

Interesting to also know that his son is taking over and he'll have 'big shoes' to fill.

~RR

Secretblend · 02-04-2008, 09:41 PM

I didn't meet him but it was neat to see him in person! He is very intense!

PurrMeow · 02-04-2008, 09:47 PM

It sure surprised me and my bf abt Knight resigns because my brother's girlfriend and her family is really from Ind. and my brother's best friend went to Texas Tech. and my brother and our dad always send me email about sports cause they as men are into sports but my brother's best friend and my brother knew him. We all were shocked. I once met him one time. I was so stunned and shocked about his resigns!

MaxUFC · 02-06-2008, 12:25 AM

I missed his strange behavoirs on the court and off-court. I would be happy / be torture to play for him since he was one of the best college coaches.

02-04-2008, 09:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Secretblend Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Plan to move to Austin, TX Posts: 1,397	I didn't meet him but it was neat to see him in person! He is very intense! __________________ Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

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02-04-2008, 09:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Roadrunner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,090	This sure comes as a big surprise--but then again, all those years out on court was more than enough and perhaps it was time to venture into other things in life and have more time with family. I sure can remember many times when Iowa Hawkeyes played Indiana in the Big Ten basketball conference years ago--so much intensity in those games too! Hopefully many will remember his coaching endeavors as someone who was indeed an expert coaching/teaching players than some of his wildy outbursts that were played out during games and off court. Interesting to also know that his son is taking over and he'll have 'big shoes' to fill. ~RR

02-04-2008, 09:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
PurrMeow Have fun~ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rose Posts: 2,376	It sure surprised me and my bf abt Knight resigns because my brother's girlfriend and her family is really from Ind. and my brother's best friend went to Texas Tech. and my brother and our dad always send me email about sports cause they as men are into sports but my brother's best friend and my brother knew him. We all were shocked. I once met him one time. I was so stunned and shocked about his resigns!

02-06-2008, 12:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
MaxUFC Next title : Red Sox Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New England Posts: 1,862	I missed his strange behavoirs on the court and off-court. I would be happy / be torture to play for him since he was one of the best college coaches.