Basketball
Controversial Basketball Coach Bobby Knight Resigns
By Dylan Vox

Feb 5, 2008

Bobby Knight

After 42 seasons, a record 902 winning games, three national titles, and an Olympic Gold medal, one of the most prolific coaches in NCAA basketball history, Bobby Knight, finally takes his leave from the sport. With a five-decade career, Knight has made headlines for his successes and his controversial behavior both on and off the court.  

Knight took his first head coach position at Army at the young age of 24. After amassing 102 game wins in just six seasons, Knight was recognized for his extraordinary talent and offered the head coach position at Indiana University where he helped create one of college basketballs most amazing legacies.  

He led the Hoosiers to eight conference championships and three national titles. He also became the only coach to win the NCAA title, the NIT, a Pan Am Games championship and an Olympic gold medal.  

His success on the court, however, was often marred by his uncontrollable temper. In 1979, Knight was arrested for striking a police officer at the Pan American Games in Puerto Rico. He was also cited several times for throwing chairs, clipboards and other equipment in protest to referee calls.  

In 1988, during an interview with Connie Chung about bad referee calls, Knight received much deserved criticism from women’s organizations when he commented, "I think that if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it."  

Four years later, Knight’s insensitivity once again became a national headline when photos of the coach pretending to use a bullwhip on African American player Calbert Cheaney hit newspapers.  

After years of reported abuse against players, Knight was placed on a “zero tolerance” policy after former Hoosier Neil Reed produced video of Knight choking him during practice. Knight wouldn’t make it through the rest of the season and was fired after 29 years of service with the team for grabbing and bruising freshman Kent Harvey, who simply asked him "Hey, what's up, Knight?"  

He found a new home at Texas Tech and quickly improved the struggling program. But where Knight goes, controversy always seems to follow. After accusations of kicking his own son, Patrick Knight, who signed on as assistant coach, Knight once again was accused of hitting a player, Michael Prince, during a game.  

Monday evening, the 67-year-old Knight handed over the reigns to his son in a stunning midseason decision.  

Knight told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that he made his decision to step down after talking to long time friend and former NCAA coach Pete Newell for more than an hour Sunday night.  

Knight had been signed to a three-year deal with the University that would have extended his stay through 2011, but many close to the coach said he had plans to leave after this season.  

In a statement to the Associated Press, Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance explained, that Knight “said he was tired and that it was best to go ahead and do it now. I think Bob is through with coaching. I think he got to the point where it was not fun for him."  

Knight told the Journal, "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.”  

No doubt many fans will miss the ornery coach who has caused such debate over the years, and there are sure to be others that will be glad to see him go. Fan or not there is no denying the Bobby Knight leaves a legacy of success along side a lifetime of controversy.