Bob Knight, Legendary Basketball Coach, Dead At 83

Legendary school basketball coach Bob Knight has handed away, his household introduced Wednesday. He was 83 years previous.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family,” a press release by Knight’s family members stated. “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored.”

“We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend.”

Knight — AKA “The General” — is likely one of the most profitable coaches in NCAA historical past with 902 Division I wins … main the bench for 3 applications (Military, Indiana and Texas Tech) from 1963-2008.

Knight was a three-time champion because the Hoosiers’ head coach … successful all of it in 1976, 1981 and 1987. He additionally went to the Closing 4 5 instances throughout his time in Bloomington.

Earlier than turning into a coach, Knight performed at Ohio State, the place he helped the Buckeyes win a nationwide championship in 1961.

At 24 years previous, Knight took over at Military … the place he would coach future Duke Blue Devils legend Mike Krzyzewski. Coach Ok additionally served as Knight’s assistant earlier than going to Duke.

Knight grew to become the Hoosiers’ head coach in 1971 … spending 29 seasons with this system, together with 24 NCAA match appearances and 22 20-win seasons.

The Hoosiers went an ideal 32-0 en path to a nationwide title within the 1976 season … the newest group to ever achieve this.

Knight additionally coached Workforce USA to an Olympic gold medal in 1984.

Knight — identified for his scorching mood — infamously acquired ejected throughout a sport towards Purdue in 1985 after getting offended over a foul name.

Knight’s time in Bloomington resulted in controversy — after he was captured on video choking former participant Neil Reed in 1997, the varsity carried out a zero-tolerance coverage towards the coach … and he was fired after scholar Kent Harvey accused Bobby of grabbing him by the arm for referring to him as “Knight.”

Knight was employed because the Texas Tech head coach in 2001 … the place he would lead the Crimson Raiders to a Candy 16 look in 2005.

He retired from Texas Tech in 2008 … and his son, Pat, took the reins.

Knight coached a number of future NBA stars throughout his profession … together with Isiah Thomas and Mike Woodson.

After retirement, Bobby labored for ESPN as an analyst till 2015.

Knight was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame in 1991 … and the Faculty Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2006.

Knight was hospitalized again in April with an “acute illness” … and the Indiana program requested his supporters to hope for him.