Bob Knight retires

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Beemer

And a great coach.

Change that to WAS a great coach and I might buy it...I firmly believe that he is a great example of someone the game has passed by - his innovations on defense and his style of offense WERE great, but they aren't winning many games these past few years and his coaching style is not attractive to most recruits. It really is time for him to leave.

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

It really is time for him to leave.

Similar to Eddie Sutton.

[FrankHtown]

Get a hold of "Season on the Brink" by John Feinstein. Before I read it, I thought Bobby Knight was a classless jerk. After I read it, I realized he wasn't classless.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by FrankHtown

Get a hold of "Season on the Brink" by John Feinstein. Before I read it, I thought Bobby Knight was a classless jerk. After I read it, I realized he wasn't classless.

But still a jerk? How so?

[FrankHtown]

His antics on the court speak for themselves, as well as the policeman incident in Puerto Rico.

I know he graduated kids, and he does a lot of stuff for his former players, but along with his 3 national titles, the film clip of him throwing a chair will be a highlight clip, too.

And, btw, to rockyroad, he took a moribund program at Texas Tech, and in his first 6 years had 5 20-win seasons.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by FrankHtown

And, btw, to rockyroad, he took a moribund program at Texas Tech, and in his first 6 years had 5 20-win seasons.

That's funny, as I recall it, he took over a Texas Tech team with some good young talent. 20 win seasons without him? Maybe not. But they had some good players who had been recruited there and played for him for three or four years. Their recruiting has dropped way off since he got there.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

But still a jerk? How so?

Just watch him on the court, during a game or practice. He is a profane bully who lacks any self-control -- on the court.

Off the court, he does tremendous things for fans, his players and their families. I heard this story from John Feinstein just today on the radio. It happened while he was writing "Season on the Brink".

Knight was in a restaurant and was approached by a young man who asked if his father and brother could come over and just say hello. Knight said yes, but the man explained that his father and brother were both deaf. They would use sign language and he would translate. Knight said fine. The father and brother were very complimentary and they had a nice conversation.

Knight sent them Indiana merchandise, including tickets to a game. He brought them into the locker room and let them meet all the players, who introduced themselves and all shook hands with the father and two brothers.

After the family left, Knight gave his pre-game speech which was simply, "Don't let me ever hear any of you complain about how hard your life is", and he left the locker room.

Nice gesture to have the family meet the team, and a nice teaching moment for the players.

But once the game starts. . .

[BillyMac]

Dr. Jeckyl: Present and past players love him, players graduate, no NCAA violations, championships, undefeated teams, career wins

Mr. Hyde: Vulgar language, physical abuse of some players, unsportsmanlike conduct, intimidating to press

Can anyone spell bipolar disorder?

[Forksref]

When I was coaching I attended a one-man clinic in Minneapolis: 2 days of Bob Knight. I learned more at that clinic than anywhere else. Best teacher of the game ever. Denny Crum did one the next year and it was almost worthless. Morgan Wooten did one the following year and it was almost as good as Knight's.

I saw him coach in L.A. at the Olympics and he was up by 40 and still pounding the scorers table.

In 1987 I saw the movie Hoosiers and that night the Hoosiers beat Syracuse for the national title.

Sorry to see him leave in mid-season. I don't think that was fair to his team, school and fans.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Forksref

Sorry to see him leave in mid-season. I don't think that was fair to his team, school and fans.

His son had been named coach in waiting a few seasons ago. I'm pretty sure his players knew it was coming; might explain why he isn't drawing the same talent he used to (among other explanations.)

I don't think this is as big a deal to the players as some are making it out to be.