40 years ago I was just starting my career as a JV Basketball coach and went to a coaches clinic to listen to Coach Knight. He had a presence in a conference hall filled with over 1000 coaches, and he opened it up for Q and A - but was very 'prickly' on what type of questions and how you addressed Coach Knight. For example, he required you to stand and ask a question. One coach who was in a wheelchair asked Knight a question, to which Bobby replied - "Please stand up . . ." and when the coach replied he couldn't stand due to being in a wheelchair . . and a hush spread across the room - without even missing a beat, Coach Knight said - "Will someone help this coach stand - we've only got 1000 coaches in the room . . . " Coach Knight later went and signed a basketball for this wheel-chair-bound coach, and I got a little glimpse of how specific and yes, maybe demanding Coach Knight could be. RIP Coach Knight.
I never met Bob Knight and probably had the opinion typical that most people have of him, in other words not very good. But last January, my wife and I were on a trip to South America and Antarctica. Our first night in Bueno Aires we met at dinner a couple from Lubbock, Texas. Turns out the gentleman was a physician and the former team doctor for Texas Tech. I said, "well you probably know Mike Leach and Bobby Knight". He said that he did indeed. While he had spend quite a bit of time with Coach Leach on a professional level, he couldn't say that he knew him all that well. But he considered Knight to be a very close personal friend.
Of course I asked him about the public perception of Bob Knight and how that compared to his personal experience. He replied that Bob Knight is like most of us - very human and prone to lots of imperfections. In other words, like the rest of us, he was a flawed individual. But he said that the private Bob Knight was a true gentleman. He was incredibly generous, kind and loyal. This warm and lovely doctor from Lubbock then told me that there was no man he'd rather spend personal time with than Bob Knight.
I asked him how Knight was doing as I had heard his health might be failing. He told me that sadly, his health was failing due to his fight with dementia. He told me that he had talked with the Coach just two days before he and his wife left for Argentina. At that point he said that Bob Knight still recognized his voice as well as a few family members, but sadly it was growing worse day by day.
He shared some other stories about his friendship with Bobby Knight, but what I remember most was that this incredibly gentle, warm and intelligent doctor from Texas was already mourning the loss of a very dear friend. His recollections changed my view of Bobby Knight forever.
Great read John. I’m a huge Coach Knight fan. One of the most puzzling things to me ever is how some sports fans expect their sports heroes or coaches to be elite- like top 10 out of several billion people at what they do…….AND also be a well rounded human. Greatness usually creates a vacuum somewhere.
Bobby was polarizing. Those who dislike him likely won’t change their views and those that loved him will till their grave. I’m the latter. Bottom line: he was an all time great coach who WON. Big. He graduated his players. Never a hint of a recruiting scandal. The vast majority of his players not only stood by him but later in their lives attributed him to being so much more than just a basketball coach in bettering their lives. RIP Coach. And consider yourself one of the very fortunate John to have had your experience with him as I know you do.
I appreciate you, John, because you don't seem to have any fear asking the tough questions to the right people. This story is as much a glimpse into your makeup as it is about a notorious coaching legend. You don't get tough without your feet being put to the coals, and clearly you've been there. Cheers to you.
Thanks, John, for triggering a pleasant memory of my youth.
It is less well known that before he went to Indiana, Knight was an active-duty soldier and eventually became the HC at West Point. In the 70's, while assigned as a Cadet Candidate at the Army's USMA Prep School, I played for John DeBrosse, one of Knight's graduate assistants at the Academy. We learned, practiced, and played Knight's man-to-man defense in exact and excruciating detail. Having played at The Citadel (with Pat Conroy--see 'My Losing Season') Coach D wasn't as ascerbic as Knight, but he was every bit a terrific coach, who became a legendary HS coach in Ohio.
John, I am not a basketball fan (well, since Kareem played for the Lakers) and really don't know or care much about Bobby Knight. But I did notice his passing. Your story adds another layer and I appreciate your wonderful ability to tell it. Thanks!
I can’t explain why but I was expecting a hatchet job (that is on me, not you) and instead was treated to a wonderful explanation of a complex man. When I heard he passed away my first thought and what I explained to my wife, was the chair incident and how much he won. What I didn’t talk to her about was his loyalty to his players and I’ll fix that this morning.
I wish we had a "reporter" who would ask the Coaches at Oregon State some direct and hard questions like you or what I might ask....The people interviewing the Coaches today, let them off to easy and we hear the "same" answers every day.
Thanks J C, just keep up the GREAT WORK, SO WE ALL CAN BE BETTER INFORMED AND ENJOY WHAT YOU WRITE.....I am anxious for November 14th to arrive so we might have an idea of what is going on with the PAC-12 and the future for WSU AND OSU....
Thanks for the perspective concerning a very complicated and great coach.
I remember Coach Knight and IU playing in the Far West Classic back in the day. As a 12 year old, what a thrill to be near such an icon. Coach Knight was obviously more than an "old school" coach. He definitely cared.
Agreed! On everything. He scared the you know what out of me! Difficult is a very nice way to put it. But no doubt, he was an exceptional coach. Unfortunately, he didn't adjust to the "new" way of motivating people.
Really enjoy your columns! Keep up the good work. Don't always agree but you're doing good things! Please try to get your show on the air here in Bend! No local affiliate here!
Loved the story. Everyone knows about his boorish and uncontrolled antics, but some have also heard about his kindness and compassion. Best to remember that with his passing. That said, what's the answer, can you still win in today's game with a back-to-the-basket center?
UNLV averaged 92 points a game. Knight must have figured that the Hoosiers could keep up, or at least they would have to keep up. However, Knight decided to defend the Rebels by leaving their point guard, Mark Wade, undefended and doubling elsewhere. Wade was an assist maniac, but didn't shoot. Knight probably figured he would be forced to shoot, but he didn't and had 18 assists. Still, as I remember it, the Hoosiers were defending 5 on 4 pretty much the entire game. When have you ever seen that? It was probably the difference in the Hoosier victory down the stretch.
40 years ago I was just starting my career as a JV Basketball coach and went to a coaches clinic to listen to Coach Knight. He had a presence in a conference hall filled with over 1000 coaches, and he opened it up for Q and A - but was very 'prickly' on what type of questions and how you addressed Coach Knight. For example, he required you to stand and ask a question. One coach who was in a wheelchair asked Knight a question, to which Bobby replied - "Please stand up . . ." and when the coach replied he couldn't stand due to being in a wheelchair . . and a hush spread across the room - without even missing a beat, Coach Knight said - "Will someone help this coach stand - we've only got 1000 coaches in the room . . . " Coach Knight later went and signed a basketball for this wheel-chair-bound coach, and I got a little glimpse of how specific and yes, maybe demanding Coach Knight could be. RIP Coach Knight.
Powerful story John -- I especially like how you closed with the player's tragedy and Coach Knight's role -- my subscription is paying me dividends!
Thanks for being here for it Timothy.
I never met Bob Knight and probably had the opinion typical that most people have of him, in other words not very good. But last January, my wife and I were on a trip to South America and Antarctica. Our first night in Bueno Aires we met at dinner a couple from Lubbock, Texas. Turns out the gentleman was a physician and the former team doctor for Texas Tech. I said, "well you probably know Mike Leach and Bobby Knight". He said that he did indeed. While he had spend quite a bit of time with Coach Leach on a professional level, he couldn't say that he knew him all that well. But he considered Knight to be a very close personal friend.
Of course I asked him about the public perception of Bob Knight and how that compared to his personal experience. He replied that Bob Knight is like most of us - very human and prone to lots of imperfections. In other words, like the rest of us, he was a flawed individual. But he said that the private Bob Knight was a true gentleman. He was incredibly generous, kind and loyal. This warm and lovely doctor from Lubbock then told me that there was no man he'd rather spend personal time with than Bob Knight.
I asked him how Knight was doing as I had heard his health might be failing. He told me that sadly, his health was failing due to his fight with dementia. He told me that he had talked with the Coach just two days before he and his wife left for Argentina. At that point he said that Bob Knight still recognized his voice as well as a few family members, but sadly it was growing worse day by day.
He shared some other stories about his friendship with Bobby Knight, but what I remember most was that this incredibly gentle, warm and intelligent doctor from Texas was already mourning the loss of a very dear friend. His recollections changed my view of Bobby Knight forever.
I am not surprised by this. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you. I have never had to be a 'public self.' But I know many folks who have and the private life often does not meet the public persona.
Great read John. I’m a huge Coach Knight fan. One of the most puzzling things to me ever is how some sports fans expect their sports heroes or coaches to be elite- like top 10 out of several billion people at what they do…….AND also be a well rounded human. Greatness usually creates a vacuum somewhere.
Bobby was polarizing. Those who dislike him likely won’t change their views and those that loved him will till their grave. I’m the latter. Bottom line: he was an all time great coach who WON. Big. He graduated his players. Never a hint of a recruiting scandal. The vast majority of his players not only stood by him but later in their lives attributed him to being so much more than just a basketball coach in bettering their lives. RIP Coach. And consider yourself one of the very fortunate John to have had your experience with him as I know you do.
Well put... thank you for commenting and reading.
Excellent points.
Great comments. John Wooden was a great coach and a great person. But, NIL was going on in Westwood before NIL.
We all have warts, most of which are not exposed to public scrutiny.
John, stories like this are exactly why I subscribe. A very complicated man, but still with a heart and a bit of a soft side.
Thank you for reading and for commenting here.
I have always been a Bob Knight fan. He was very intriguing. Like John said, he was authentic and I liked that about him. RIP, Coach Knight.
Very complex person. Thank you for reading and for being here.
I appreciate you, John, because you don't seem to have any fear asking the tough questions to the right people. This story is as much a glimpse into your makeup as it is about a notorious coaching legend. You don't get tough without your feet being put to the coals, and clearly you've been there. Cheers to you.
Thank you for being here. I just try to ask the questions that readers would want answered.
Thanks, John, for triggering a pleasant memory of my youth.
It is less well known that before he went to Indiana, Knight was an active-duty soldier and eventually became the HC at West Point. In the 70's, while assigned as a Cadet Candidate at the Army's USMA Prep School, I played for John DeBrosse, one of Knight's graduate assistants at the Academy. We learned, practiced, and played Knight's man-to-man defense in exact and excruciating detail. Having played at The Citadel (with Pat Conroy--see 'My Losing Season') Coach D wasn't as ascerbic as Knight, but he was every bit a terrific coach, who became a legendary HS coach in Ohio.
The defensive intensity was... amazing to watch.
Pat Conroy is my favorite author--that one was beautiful.
You should read his book, My Reading Life. It’s lovely.
John, I am not a basketball fan (well, since Kareem played for the Lakers) and really don't know or care much about Bobby Knight. But I did notice his passing. Your story adds another layer and I appreciate your wonderful ability to tell it. Thanks!
Thank you so much George.
One of your best, John. Thank you for offering up some authentic insight into a complex coach.
Best subjects can't be summarized in a sentence... he's complicated.
I can’t explain why but I was expecting a hatchet job (that is on me, not you) and instead was treated to a wonderful explanation of a complex man. When I heard he passed away my first thought and what I explained to my wife, was the chair incident and how much he won. What I didn’t talk to her about was his loyalty to his players and I’ll fix that this morning.
The chair incident was played so often... I expected in 1998-99 that he would do it every game. lol
LOL
I wish we had a "reporter" who would ask the Coaches at Oregon State some direct and hard questions like you or what I might ask....The people interviewing the Coaches today, let them off to easy and we hear the "same" answers every day.
Thanks J C, just keep up the GREAT WORK, SO WE ALL CAN BE BETTER INFORMED AND ENJOY WHAT YOU WRITE.....I am anxious for November 14th to arrive so we might have an idea of what is going on with the PAC-12 and the future for WSU AND OSU....
thank you.
“When my antagonists agree with me then I’ll think I’m in trouble”
- a timely metaphor that still rings true in these volatile times. So much more existed beneath the outward persona that was Coach Knight
Godspeed, Bobby
By the way, John; please recommend a couple BK book I should read
GO DAWGS
Appreciate your perspective David.
Thanks for the perspective concerning a very complicated and great coach.
I remember Coach Knight and IU playing in the Far West Classic back in the day. As a 12 year old, what a thrill to be near such an icon. Coach Knight was obviously more than an "old school" coach. He definitely cared.
He cared deeply about loyalty... teaching... could be difficult.
Agreed! On everything. He scared the you know what out of me! Difficult is a very nice way to put it. But no doubt, he was an exceptional coach. Unfortunately, he didn't adjust to the "new" way of motivating people.
Really enjoy your columns! Keep up the good work. Don't always agree but you're doing good things! Please try to get your show on the air here in Bend! No local affiliate here!
Thanks!!!
Loved the story. Everyone knows about his boorish and uncontrolled antics, but some have also heard about his kindness and compassion. Best to remember that with his passing. That said, what's the answer, can you still win in today's game with a back-to-the-basket center?
In 1987 when he won the Final 4, Knight shocked Tark and UNLV by going with an up-tempo run game.
Indiana won 97-93, a very healthy score back in the day.
UNLV averaged 92 points a game. Knight must have figured that the Hoosiers could keep up, or at least they would have to keep up. However, Knight decided to defend the Rebels by leaving their point guard, Mark Wade, undefended and doubling elsewhere. Wade was an assist maniac, but didn't shoot. Knight probably figured he would be forced to shoot, but he didn't and had 18 assists. Still, as I remember it, the Hoosiers were defending 5 on 4 pretty much the entire game. When have you ever seen that? It was probably the difference in the Hoosier victory down the stretch.
Knight seemed perpetually agitated and prickly. I suspect he had loved ones, but not many.
I saw that on TV a lot. In person, he was softer... but if you asked him a dumb question, he had zero tolerance. It would shift his mood immediately.