How I See Bob Knight

     (Written September, 2000)
     No one will ever accuse me of being unbiased when the topic of Bob Knight comes up. I have been a devout fan of Coach Knight and Indiana basketball for many years, and despite all the criticism he has received over the last three decades, my opinion of him will always be a positive one. You see, unlike the majority of Knight's critics, whose opinions are based primarily on only the negative accounts of his behavior (many of which have been inaccurately portrayed through the years), the mass of Knight supporters will always see much, much more than that.

    
     We see Bob Knight the coach, the educator. We see a guy who is highly principled, honest, loyal, caring, and generous. We see him this way because we've talked to him. We've talked and heard from his former players and other coaches. We've been to his practices. We've seen him and heard of him performing countless acts of kindness and charity on a public and personal level over the years, most of which have gone unnoticed. We've seen him mold teenagers and twenty-year olds into successful men to be admired. And we see him this way, because we've taken the time and put a little effort into learning more about the man from reliable sources. Sources and people that actually know him. Sources other than Sportscenter and self-righteous sportswriters, who seem only interested in sensationalized soundbites and videoclips.


     There is no doubt, that Bob Knight is a great basketball coach. His many records and championships speak for themselves. But, what has always been most important to Knight, is the long lasting, positive effect and influence he has had on his players. Knight's players graduate, and do so while exhibiting well-mannered, respectful, and sportsmanlike behavior on and off the court. And no coach cares, helps, and does more for his players once they graduate than Coach Knight does. Now, if Knight is the horrible monster that's often portrayed in the media, then why is it that the overwhelming majority of his players, past and present, respect and appreciate the man so much? Why is it that good kids and talented players continue to choose to play at IU with their parents blessings? Why were the 12 current players devastated over his firing? Why has there been such an outrage by Knight supporters and IU fans? WE know why, but Knight's critics will never get it.

     If Knight has his foibles, and he certainly does, it only goes to show that he is human, although there are many in the media, that would lead you to believe he is much less than that. I know very few people who could withstand the scrutiny he has been under for almost thirty years. Certainly most of his critics could not. He has been villified by members of the media on almost a daily basis for most of his 29 years at IU, often unfairly. And yet, many of them can't understand why Knight becomes a little bit intolerant with them from time to time. WE do.

     Bob Knight is much more than a basketball coach. He calls himself a teacher and he truly is. I consider myself as much a student of his as Isiah Thomas or Calbert Cheaney. He has shown me what can be achieved with a combination of effort, discipline, and most of all, passion. If I've failed to grasp the lesson, the shortcomings are mine, not his. The ultimate irony is that his demise as coach at IU came about as a result of him doing what he does best and loves the most, teaching a kid a lesson. Stopping and correcting that kid was as natural to Knight as breathing. And he later stated that if the situation ever arose again, he'd do the same thing again, and again. Knight's critics may not understand why. But we do.