Coach Bobby Knight Retires

By Kevin Leto

Bob Knight, head coach for Texas Tech University, retired yesterday after coaching college basketball for 42 years. Knight retired at the age of 67 with 902 wins, a record he shares only with Tennessee Volunteers coach Pat Summit.

Knight’s son, Pat, told ESPN that he said, “I just can't do it anymore,' that he was worn down."

Knight was known for sound bites and rash behavior, including verbally and physically abusing his players. In 2000 his behavior cost him his job at Indiana University. He had been there for 29 years and brought them three NCAA Championships. He was named National Coach of the Year four times and Big Ten Coach of the Year six times.

In 1984 he became only the third coach in history to win the “triple crown.” A “triple crown” is an NCAA Championship, an NIT Championship, and an Olympic Gold Medal. His Olympic team consisted of a budding star named Michael Jordan.

Knight was also inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. His son, Pat Knight, has taken over the Texas Tech Red Raiders whom Knight left with a 12-8 record.

"He wanted to do it when everyone least expected it," Pat Knight said. "He didn't want a press conference. He didn't want a rocking chair." That is vintage Bobby Knight. The same man who once through a chair across the court and once said he hoped to be buried upside down so his critics could kiss his hind parts.