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| | Sunday, September 10 Users react: Knight out at Indiana | ||||||||||
| ESPN.com ESPN.com asked what you thought of Bob Knight's firing. You responded with more than 3,000 e-mails in less than three hours. Among your thoughts:
Kudos to Indiana University for finally standing up to King Knight the Tyrant. Mike S. Boston, Mass. I have been a Bob Knight backer since he played for Ohio State in the '60s, but if he did what he is accused of he should be fired. Enough is enough. Zero tolerence is what it says, and he knew this. Ed Hayslip Pittsburgh, Pa. So Bob Knight's demise comes with no bang, but a wimper filled with irony. After decades of terrorizing students, reporters and IU employees alike, he gets sacked for laying an impromptu lesson in manners (ho ho) on an IU brat in wrap around suns who probably deserved it. And who says there's no poetry in life? Kelly Miller San Francisco, Calif. Knight's firing is long overdue. He is almost totally unable to control his emotions and can be easily provoked. Even if the alleged provocation was intentional, he did not handle it properly. He has been a disgrace to Indiana University for a number of years. Jim Rowe Fort Wayne, Ind. It's about time! Coach Knight has no right to touch any of the students at Indiana, including his players. What ever happened to verbal communication? A coach should be a mentor, a leader, and an example to his players. Thanks coach Knight for being the example of what coaches shouldn't be, an egotistical meglomaniac! Matt Meagher Lyme, N.H. I always found it ironic that for someone always lauded for having produced players who are disciplined, he repeatedly could not control himself and rather than take responsibility would have an excuse or project blame for every asinine act. Paul Karlin Hays, Kan. Why did it take Indiana this long to realize what they should have done years ago? Tony Tulsa, Okla. 'Bout time. David Braile Renton, Wash. The bully finally got what he has deserved for all these years, a boot in the butt! Patrick Kehoe Columbia Tenn. Knight got a bum rap I think he got a raw deal ... What is wrong with teaching someone to have respect for their elders? Janice Dallas, Texas It is a shame that such a legend in coaching has been pulled through the mud in his final days of coaching. Coach Knight could have given this kid a lollipop, patted him on the back and still lost his job for physical abuse. Mac Livingston Charlotte, N.C. Great coach and a victim of political pressure and catering to society. Phillip Moore Syracuse, N.Y. Bob Knight was one of the few remaining coaches in college basketball that would not back down from his principals. He brought discipline to a sport where it is becoming a rarity. Andrew Singleton Columbia, Mo. College basketball has lost one of its finest coaches. I see no reason to watch Indiana basketball ever again. Ron C. Edgewood, Ky. I am a Michigan State graduate and have followed Knight most of his career. Was he an idiot? Absolutely. Was he a fantastic coach? Absolutely. I can tell you one thing. if he was still winning championships he would still have a job. It's not like any of this behaviour is new to Bob Knight. Bill Birdsley Nashville, Tenn.
I have loved Coach Knight and Indiana University for as long as I can remember, and nothing made me happier than coming back home to Bloomington to start college last fall. But if the university does decide to fire this man, who has given more to this school than can ever be fathomed, I will transfer from this school that I used to love so much. No longer will they get my money, and no longer will they get my undying support and passion. I do not want to be part of an institution that is more concerned with saving face than doing the right thing. Jerod Morris Bloomington, Ind. Most of us that live in Hoosierland did not want Knight to go out this way. Regardless of the reasons for him being fired, Knight will always have to live with himself. And that can't be easy. Rory Call Ft.Wayne, Ind. I think that this is the worst day in Indiana history. David E. Miller Tell City, Ind. One of the greatest basketball minds ever. It's a sad day for Indiana and Indiana basketball. Mike Hay Indianapolis Although Bob Knight has done many things in the past that should have cost him his job, this was not one of them. It was very clear that the student had blown this current incident out of proportion and the media ran with it. Tony Brownfield Brownsburg, Ind. Now Purdue has gained another fan. A.R. Smith Indianapolis Ind. Bob Knight represents honor, respect, and defiance to elements detrimental to the purity of the game. He epitomizes the values of hard work and discipline. With the recent trend toward flashiness and emulation of NBA play in NCAA Basketball, Knight sought to maintain the purity of the game: rebounding, defense, team play. His example and teachings will be sorely missed. Rich Adams Fishers, Ind. Bob who? Already forgotten. Adam Price West Lafayette, Ind. This firing of Bob Knight will go down as one of the worst injustices in college basketball history. Coach Knight did more for Indiana University than any of the pundits that decided to take shots at him and eventually led to his firing ... I will no longer root for Indiana University on any levels. Kris Gossett Muncie, Ind. As an avid Indiana fan for over 30 years, this is the most discouraging news ever. I think he was setup and the IU president took action much too quickly before really getting down to the truth. I think this will have a lot of die hard fans including myself to drop interest in the IU basketball program and IU Scott Clarksville, Ind. Other thoughts Congratulations, members of the media. After 20-plus years, you finally did it. So who is going to be your next takedown target? Bryant Lewis Louisville, Ky. He's a better person than the media portrait him. I'll take him before the reporters who hound him. David P. Smith Howell, Mich. There is an old saying -- "Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." Coach Knight is a winner. I'm sorry to see this happen to him. Coach, hold your head high, you have a lot to be proud of. David Tate Greensboro N.C. Love him or hate him he is probably among the top five greatest college coaches of all time. College Basketball is a big business and sometimes you have to be a jerk to make things happen. IU is making a large mistake. Scott Simpson Redmond, Wash. This is crazy!! Coach Knight was set up buy an un-employeed disc jockey. Rich Roberts Lexington, Ky. FINALLY!!!!!! Thank you, God. In a land where a running back is allowed to murder his wife, and the president of the country is allowed to lie on a witness stand, at least now we have some people who have said enough is enough regardless of clout and national chamionships. Thank you IU for finally showing some desency, principles, and standards. Lynne Ream Peru, Ind. | ALSO SEE Indiana removes Knight as coach Forde: Knight was so gifted, so flawed Bilas: Knight was his own worst enemy Iowa confident Alford not leaving for Hoosiers Bob Knight career timeline | ||||||||||