Bob Knight calls it a career
As if their wasn’t enough big news today… It’s Super Tuesday, there is a parade for the greatest victory in the history of sports, Roger Clemens is about to snitch on himself, and now the legendary Bob Knight has decided that he’s had enough. Say what you will about the man, his bad behavior, rudeness, arrogance, etc. you can’t argue with the results. More wins than any college basketball coach ever.
Texas Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers said Knight informed him that he was resigning during a meeting Monday morning.
“He just said it was time,” Myers said in a telephone interview. “He wanted to give Pat his chance. He’s given it his all. He said he didn’t have interest in coaching anymore.”
Knight’s son, Pat, will take over the program in West Texas where Bob Knight had toiled successfully but somewhat anonymously for the past seven seasons. Pat Knight was named the coach designate in 2005. The Red Raiders play at Baylor on Wednesday.
“My thinking was that for Pat and for this team — most of which is returning next year — the best thing for the long run for this team would be for Pat and his staff to coach these remaining 10 games,” Knight told The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, adding that his health was not a factor.
And why not, here’s an excerpt from the Lubbock Avalance-Journal itself. This is probably the only time we will ever reference it, no offense.
Before ending his 43-year career, Bob Knight addressed the team.
“It wasn’t this emotional deal or anything like that. He did it in typical Coach Knight fashion, he was coaching them right up until he walked out the door,” assistant coach Chris Beard said. “He was very positive. He told them it had nothing to do with them or any losses or anything like that. He told them what he was doing, then immediately started talking about how we could beat Baylor and how we could continue to improve and how good we could be next year.”
Pat Knight slowly has been groomed for this day since Tech athletic director Gerald Myers announced three years ago that he would some day take the reins. He has been more hands-on with recruiting, with running practices and with conducting interviews.
Enjoy the nice and peaceful ride into the sunset Coach Knight (I call him Coach, cause he’s known to put hands on a disrespectful younger man like myself). The General has been a major influence in the lives of such SLAM favorites as Isiah Thomas and Mike Krzyzewski.
Now get away from the computer and go vote. It’s what Coach Knight would want you to do.
Photo courtesy of Rodolfo Gonzalez/Associated Press
21 Responses to “Bob Knight calls it a career”
Feb.5 at 9:28 am
zamhar says:
you may disagree with some of his actions… but Coach Knight has a close to 100% graduation record. he understands that his players are students first… and check his record, his programs never broke NCAA rules. one of the cleanest guys in college athletics.
Feb.5 at 9:37 am
TADOne says:
A lot of people don’t like Coach Knight and his arrogance, but I happened to enjoy his refreshing way of being real with the media and his players. I hope he does well in retirement.
Feb.5 at 9:49 am
Ryan Jones says:
A pr*ck, but a good coach. He hasn’t been relevant for years.
Feb.5 at 9:59 am
riggs says:
ive always thought he was a prick til i saw an interview where he was with his grandson, it funny and touching so i looked at him differently since then.
Feb.5 at 10:38 am
BETCATS says:
voting is for squares and terroists
Feb.5 at 10:58 am
Slick Nick Da Ruler says:
Its about time Knight, you are a bastard relic.
Feb.5 at 11:00 am
Ryan Jones says:
Just because you love your grandkids doesn’t mean you’re not a pr*ck, riggs. I mean, Hitler apparently really liked his dogs.
Feb.5 at 11:20 am
Cub Buenning says:
Farmer Professor! Perfectly put on both accounts. Total Pr*ck, good coach-3 title, coach of the last undefeated team.
Tech will be better with Wee Knight at the healm…..
Feb.5 at 11:47 am
Drew says:
grandkids > dogs …and i dont think he is all the way done. For some reason I just see this as a Artest-esque tantrum.
Feb.5 at 1:09 pm
t.dot dude says:
best carrer ever
Feb.5 at 1:32 pm
jbn74sb says:
Knight will be coaching some high school team in the backwoods (back plains?) of Indiana within a couple of years.
Feb.5 at 1:47 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Knicks should hire him.
Feb.5 at 2:19 pm
jbn74sb says:
Not a bad idea Russ. Half the roster would die of a heart attack within a week. And about a third would be in jail for assaulting him.
Feb.5 at 2:37 pm
Goody says:
Thank God for the favor
Feb.5 at 3:28 pm
tawanna says:
Russ just some fyi Pat Summitt is the sll time winnest basketball coach o fall time . Quit sure you knew that already, give respect where it is do.
Feb.5 at 4:43 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Folding chairs everywhere are celebrating.
Feb.5 at 6:50 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
tawanna: Um, Sam wrote this.
bodie: Some guys might actually thrive under Knight. I’m thinking Crawford (eventually–at least he’d try), Lee, Jeffries. Um, maybe that’s it.
Feb.5 at 7:22 pm
maio says:
@Ryan: Hitler was a really cute baby too. Those adorable big blue eyes (got them from his mom). Google for “baby Hitler” if sceptical.
As for Bob Knight - I don’t think he was a bad guy and wish him well. Larry F. Brown on the other hand…
Feb.6 at 12:53 am
Dacre says:
Was Coach Knight giving coaching away completely…or chucking a Coach Brown and going to look around for a new team each year?
Feb.6 at 4:43 am
Jordan Hagedorn says:
Funniest thing ever done by a coach:
Bobby Knight’s GAMEFACE comment and face.
Feb.6 at 12:50 pm
tawanna says:
My bad Russ.