Bobby Knight was born on Oct. 25, 1940, in Massillon, Ohio, and grew up in Orrville, Ohio. He began his organized basketball career at Orrville High School. He carved out a long hall of fame career as a coach after a college basketball career that spanned from 1959-1962 at Ohio State, winning the NCAA Title in 1960. He would go on to carve out assistant coaching roles at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Ohio and for college at Army until he was appointed head coach in 1965.
In 1971 he was appointed the head coach at Indiana University, where he would win three National Championships in 1976, 1981 and 1987, NIT Championship in 1979, five final-fours, and 11 Big Ten Championships. His son Pat Knight is a scout for the Indiana Pacers and played at IU under Knight from 1991-1995. After 29 seasons, he was fired after a run-in with a player. He then joined Texas Tech from 2001-2009 until his retirement.
In his career as the head coach at IU he went 622-239, which is 73.5% win rate, and an overall record of 902-371 which is a 70.9% win rate. He finished as the coach with the 14th most career wins.
On Feb. 23, 1985, Knight infamously drew a technical foul against Purdue and hurled a chair across the court almost hitting Purdue guard Steve Reid. This was one of the craziest moments in NCAA history and Knight would not face a suspension from the school or the NCAA.
IU president, Pamela Whitten, released a statement following Knight's passing.
“As we collectively mourn the passing of Coach Knight, we also celebrate a man who will always be an integral part of Indiana University’s rich and vibrant story. With unmatched accomplishment, Coach Knight's brilliance ensures he will forever rest among the greats of college basketball,” Whitten said in a press release.
The IU community has taken a huge loss, and Knight will forever be remembered for his accomplishments on and off the court. Rest in Peace Coach Knight.
Hery Acosta is a senior majoring in Journalism with minors in Communication Studies and Geography. He is a reporter, writer and Sports Editor for the Campus Citizen. He is usually in the gym or out playing soccer or football with friends.
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