DALLAS – Bob Knight, the fiery-tempered basketball coach
whose on-court tirades include throwing chairs and jostling his
players, has a new set of friends – rival Big 12 coaches.
The conference's coaches overwhelmingly view Knight's hiring
Friday as a boon for the conference.
"I am thrilled, personally, that Bob Knight is back in college
coaching," said Baylor head coach Dave Bliss. "And while I wish
that we didn't have to compete against each other, Texas Tech and
(athletic director) Gerald Myers are a perfect match for one of the
best coaches ever. The Big 12 Conference just got better."
Knight's was hired by Tech Friday after a six-month exile from
college basketball. The school offered him a $1.25 million deal
that comes to about $400,000 annually.
Big 12 coaches said just Knight's name is enough to generate
positive attention for the Tech basketball program and the
conference.
"Bob Knight's name alone will bring a lot of attention and
exposure to not only Texas Tech, but to the rest of the league,"
said Texas coach Rick Barnes. "Obviously, his coaching record
speaks for itself. He has been a huge part of college basketball
for the past three decades."
Knight's temper led to his firing from Indiana in September. He
had coached the Hoosiers to three national titles in 29 years.
The season before Knight was hired by Indiana, the Hoosiers went
7-17, 3-11 in Big Ten. They were 17-7, 9-5 in his first season and
went on to win four consecutive Big Ten titles from 1973 to 1976.
Besides three national championships, his record includes 11 Big
Ten championships and an Olympic gold medal in 1984.
"Bobby had some wonderful qualities as a person," said
Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton. "Every once in a while, things
have happened that are disappointing to his friends and, probably,
even to himself."
Knight's most infamous flare-up in a game was tossing a chair
across a court. Years earlier, he was convicted for hitting a
Puerto Rican policeman before a practice at the Pan American Games.
Other transgressions include kicking his son's leg during a game
and allegedly choking a player in a practice. The final straw was
when he grabbed the arm of a student who referred to the coach by
his last name.
Tech is counting on Knight to improve a program stuck in reverse
since reaching the Sweet 16 five years ago.
Colorado basketball coach Ricardo Patton said the Big 12 "has
always been known for its outstanding coaches, and Coach Knight
certainly adds to that."
About the behavior that got him sacked at Indiana: "Too often
we judge people on certain things," said Oklahoma coach Kelvin
Sampson. "I'm sure coach Knight's done things he regrets, just
like we've all done."
Praise for Knight in the coaches ranks came from outside the Big
12, as well.
"It's great for our part of the country, and especially the Big
12 will get a shot in the arm," said Don Haskins, who coached
Texas-El Paso for 38 years and is a close friend of Knight's.
Regarding the Tech professors who opposed Knight's selection, he
said tersely, "They don't know him. All they know is a few things
that have happened."
Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said Knight has not been
accurately portrayed.
"To characterize him as a monster, like so many people want to
do, I don't think is accurate. He is a unique person and has some
personality quirks that probably don't get along with everybody,
but he's been a great coach for a lot of years. I hope he has a lot
of success."
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AUDIO VIDEO
 ESPN's Ed Werder examines whether there will be a new Bob Knight in Texas.
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