NCAA: Knight, Dickey at Center of Texas Tech coaching situation

By Allen Miller Sportsuperstarz.com Columnist

Everyone knew that Bobby Knight would someday reenter coaching following his firing from Indiana. However, no one could have anticipated that his reappearance would be as controversial and mysterious and his removal from the Bloomington campus he loved so much.

However, Knight appears ready to reenter coaching at Texas Tech. This is where the controversy begins. The Red Raiders currently have a head coach in James Dickey, who will lead them against Oklahoma State in today’s big ten conference tournament. However, several sources have told Sportsuperstarz.com that Dickey will be fired following the Big Twelve Conference Tournament, to make room for Knight.

Sources within Texas Tech told Sportsuperstarz.com that the close friendship between Knight and Athletic Director Gerald Myers is the key reason for the hiring. Myers has stated to sources that he feels this is a perfect opportunity to turn around what has been a struggling Texas Tech program. Under Dickey, the Red Raiders went 9-18 this season and just 3-12 in Big Twelve conference play.

Sources close to Dickey say that he has been very edgy since the rumors came to light. According to one source who spoke with Sportsuperstarz.com, Dickey went on a tirade following the first report of the rumors on ESPN.com. “He was cussing and screaming,” said the source, which spoke to Sportsuperstarz.com on condition that he not be identified. “He was extremely upset that this was coming to a head as his team is getting ready to play. Every third word was something that I couldn’t repeat.”

According to sources, Dickey is furious that Myers has not even called to confirm or deny the reports. Dickey has not stated his feelings publicly, however sources say that he is very upset at the administration. Meanwhile, Knight has not spoken about the situation as well. However, sources close to the former Indiana head coach say that he is excited about the opportunity to be back in coaching.

Knight has been out of work since being fired by Indiana on September 10 for violating the school’s “zero tolerance” policy. Knight had coached 29 seasons at the school, winning 3 national championships and producing multiple first round NBA draft picks. Dickey has spent the last ten years as head coach at Texas Tech.

Regardless if Dickey is fired, the school will have to wait ten days before offering the job to Knight. Sources close to Knight say that he has spoke to several friends in the Texas area and all have stated that this would be a perfect opportunity for the former Indiana Coach.

Article courtesy of Sportsuperstarz.com