Bobby Knight Calls it Quits!
The most controversial coach in basketball has given his unexpected resignation.
By Pamela Mortimer
Bobby Knight is probably the most controversial coach in college basketball history. Knight, head coach at Texas Tech, is also the "winningest" coach in major college basketball. On Saturday, The Red Raiders beat Oklahoma State 67-60, a win that gave Knight his 902nd victory.
"He said he was tired and that it was best to go ahead and do it now," said Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance. "I think Bob is through with coaching. I think he got to the point where it wasn’t fun for him."
According to sources, Knight gave no signs that his resignation was just around the corner. He will turn his whistle over to his son, Pat, who currently serves as a Red Raiders assistant.
Hance relayed the chain of events surrounding the resignation. The 67-year-old Knight gave Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers the news in a meeting held around noon, Hance said. Afterward, Knight called Hance and told him.
"He thought about it Sunday all day and talked to his wife and decided that ‘This is something I want to do,"’ Hance said.
Knight’s choice to leave Texas Tech was even more surprising considering that he had signed a three-year contract extension in September. The contract was meant to run until the end of the 2011-12 season.
Knight’s reputation preceded his move to Texas Tech in March 2001. The coach had been fired six months before by Indiana for what school officials called a "pattern of unacceptable behavior".
The decision to hire Knight proved to be a good one for Tech. During his first six years, Knight took the Red Raiders to five 20-win seasons, a first for the school. They are currently 12-8 this season.
Another milestone for Knight occurred when he passed former North Carolina coach Dean Smith to become the "Winningest Division I Coach" on January 1, 2007. This happened when Knight scored career win No. 880. To celebrate becoming the top coach, Knight chose the classic song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, a mantra for how he chooses to navigate his personal and professional affairs.
"Bob is kind of a funny guy. He always loved that song ‘My Way,’ and this is another example," Hance said.
According to Randy Farley, a spokesman for the Texas Tech basketball program, Knight would not be available for comment Monday
Bobby Knight is probably the most controversial coach in college basketball history. Knight, head coach at Texas Tech, is also the "winningest" coach in major college basketball. On Saturday, The Red Raiders beat Oklahoma State 67-60, a win that gave Knight his 902nd victory.
"He said he was tired and that it was best to go ahead and do it now," said Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance. "I think Bob is through with coaching. I think he got to the point where it wasn’t fun for him."
According to sources, Knight gave no signs that his resignation was just around the corner. He will turn his whistle over to his son, Pat, who currently serves as a Red Raiders assistant.
Hance relayed the chain of events surrounding the resignation. The 67-year-old Knight gave Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers the news in a meeting held around noon, Hance said. Afterward, Knight called Hance and told him.
"He thought about it Sunday all day and talked to his wife and decided that ‘This is something I want to do,"’ Hance said.
Knight’s choice to leave Texas Tech was even more surprising considering that he had signed a three-year contract extension in September. The contract was meant to run until the end of the 2011-12 season.
Knight’s reputation preceded his move to Texas Tech in March 2001. The coach had been fired six months before by Indiana for what school officials called a "pattern of unacceptable behavior".
The decision to hire Knight proved to be a good one for Tech. During his first six years, Knight took the Red Raiders to five 20-win seasons, a first for the school. They are currently 12-8 this season.
Another milestone for Knight occurred when he passed former North Carolina coach Dean Smith to become the "Winningest Division I Coach" on January 1, 2007. This happened when Knight scored career win No. 880. To celebrate becoming the top coach, Knight chose the classic song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, a mantra for how he chooses to navigate his personal and professional affairs.
"Bob is kind of a funny guy. He always loved that song ‘My Way,’ and this is another example," Hance said.
According to Randy Farley, a spokesman for the Texas Tech basketball program, Knight would not be available for comment Monday
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