When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want they bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ####!
This time on HE SAID SHE SAID, we have picked a very controversial character. You either love or hate this man….there is no in-between. Would you allow your son to play college basketball for the infamous Bobby Knight? Those of you that know me know I am a college basketball freak so I am more than happy to debate anything that has to do with my passion. The problem is there is more bad news covering Coach Knight than there is good. We all know of the chair throwing incident or grabbing of players and of course deriding the press. So, where does one go to find the good in Bobby Knight? Believe it or not, I didn’t have to go very far. While I only have 2 daughters, would I allow my child or children to play for Bobby Knight? The answer is simple….yes, I would.
Robert Montgomery Knight was born on Oct 25th, 1940 in Massillon, Ohio. He grew up in nearby Orrville where he played basketball, football and baseball for the Orrville Red Riders. He played three seasons at Ohio State University (1960-1962) where he served as the sixth man on OSU’s National Championship team. After coaching high school basketball in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Knight joined the Army and coached the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Knight developed his coaching antics while at West Point. Although he has a reputation for physical intimidation, he dictates more with an acid tongue. Knight was only 24 years old when he took the reigns at West Point. While there he took Army to the semifinals of the NIT three times. This may not seem like a great accomplishment until you consider that no player was over 6’6” because of West Points’ height requirements. Throughout the years, Knight has remained the consistent drill sergeant who fiercely taunts his players while demanding total obedience.
Bob Knight coached at Indiana University from 1971 to 2000 where he led the Hoosiers to 3 NCAA titles (1976, 1981, and 1987) as well as 11 Big Ten championships. He coached U.S. teams to gold in the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics. On Sept. 10th 2000 Bobby Knight was fired by IU president for a continuing pattern of “defiant and hostile” behavior. 3000 protesters marched to IU president’s house, Myles Brand, on campus and downtown Bloomington in reaction to his firing. Knight bid farewell during a rally held the next day to 8000 supporters. Coach Knight signed with Texas Tech on March 23, 2001. It was reported to have been a 5-year deal worth $1.25 million dollars with no extra behavior clauses in the contract. Knight surpassed Dean Smith on Jan. 1st, 2007 with 880 wins and became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA men’s division 1 history.
So what makes Bobby Knight, well, Bobby Knight? To me, it is the passion and love he has for the game of basketball. He is nicknamed “The General” and rightly so. His competitiveness reminds me of another famous General, George Patton. This commander also had a winning record and was known for coming close to destroying a lustrous career for slapping shell shocked soldiers in Army hospitals. Patton accepted no less from one soldier than he did from another. Bobby Knight can be described in the same manner. He expects high principles and demands not only from his players but from his coaching staff as well. However, Bobby Knight is first and foremost an educator. Every young man who has had the privilege of playing under Knight can take the lessons taught to them while playing ball and use them throughout their lives.
Coach Knight’s demand for excellence doesn’t exclude the classroom. While at IU Knight’s graduation rate was nearly 98 percent. Around 65 percent of college student/athletes will fail to graduate. Under the hard-love of Bobby Knight, Indiana University’s men’s basketball squad was an academic success. Only a handful of NCAA schools combine basketball excellence along with a high level of graduation among athletes. Knight has an ability to motivate, teach and push his kids to success. There are a number of assistant coaches and former players that have gone on to become successful head coaches. Perhaps the most famous is the current head coach of Duke, Mike Krzyzewski.
The General is a fiery coach who leads through discipline and intimidation. His in-your-face approach has been the subject of much criticism and sometimes rightly so. His passionate approach seems to follow generational lines. The younger generation sees Knight as a bully while the older generations say they do their best under strict guidance like that of Knight. In August of 2003 Knight was honored as the very first inductee in the Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends. This induction pays tribute to individuals that possess characteristics passed down by Vince Lombardi; these include dedication, teamwork, respect, love, family, and discipline.
Bobby Knight’s name is synonymous with greatness. His accomplishments far outnumber the mistakes he has made out of passion. His numbers speak for themselves and his integrity by not recruiting in the wrong way is very admirable especially in this day and age. If you have a son ready to leave home for work or school, you will not be there to protect or take care of him. If your child were good enough to play division 1 basketball you would want someone to take care of them in your absence. To that parent Bobby Knight represents everything you would want in a person shaping your son’s early adult life.
What would I want for my child in their college career?
I want discipline.
I want leadership.
I want knowledge.
I want them to be taught by the best.
I want academics.
I want someone who will be there for them during and after their college career.
I really look forward to reading these weekly debates.
This one had to be difficult because you can't change history. Therefore you are both going to say the same things leading to your argument. Unless you absolutely state that "this is not acceptable" or "this is the only way to go" only innuendo will indicate what your position is relating to the facts.
In this case BGL took a strong position. Rev wrote a great article but never really took a strong stand on his position.
I would not be happy with my kid playing for Bobby Knight, but BGL wins the debate.
While I agree with the Rev's point of view and disagree with yours, you argured strong, BGL, and its clear that you believe strongly in what you wrote.
Personally, I just feel that there are other coaches out there that can provide the same on-court and off-court support and guidance as Knight, but without all the bullying that Coach Knight seems to dabble in. There's a difference between being a tough coach and a bully. Bobby Knight is a bully.
Bo, since I don't have kids, I felt a little funny saying whether I would send mine to play for Knight. I merely tried to lay out the facts and let the readers decide.
One thing for certain, we probably won't see the likes of a Bob Knight again.
Rev, I have 5 grown daughters and looking at their lives now, I wonder if a Bobby Knight type influence might have been an asset to their development. I certainly wasn't.
My sister has always defended Knight by saying "his kids graduate and become successful human beings, whether they make it to the pros or not."
That's great, but he still crosses the line too often, and people have let it slide for too long. Part of the reason he is the way he is today, is because nobody took a stand (that could actually do so) years ago when he would lose his cool. I remember a professor (I believe it was) at Indiana who tried desperately to get Knight fired, but the big shots wouldn't do it because he won games and made money for the school. It was basically when Indiana became a 2nd tier basketball school that he was pushed out, only to have another school jump at the chance to hire him.
So, in a nutshell, I don't like Bobby Knight, and I don't respect him either. Great basketball mind, not a very good human being in my opinion.
People may not like the way he goes about his job, but the man is arguably the best college basketball ever. He had the superstars early in his Indiana career, but other than that, Knight never got the elite players. But he still won...and won..and won....
amen sister! Send him to play for Knight....Bobby will make a man out of him. It's like going to boot camp. Sure the Sargeants are tough on recruits, but they come out as men and a better person. Knight is a great coach. I agree with you BGL>
Thanks Pirate5. You either love his methods or hate them. There were times I might have been put in jail but his stats on and off the court speak for themselves.
thanks Manrub! Knight's antics can be hard to #### but it is his treatment of his kids after that I admire. Not only that, he has never recruited wrongly to get ahead! He is a tought cookie that demands respect and obedience as am I ;) Maybe that is why I like the man!
Mercury, you should listen to your sister! She is right!! In a world where colleges and coaches use players and then spit them out, Knight stands out as one who really does care and follows thru.
cool lisa!! I kinda thought you would disagree with me on this one! It seems Knight's fans are made up of "manly", Army men!! Glad to see another female sees the Good Knight!
I have to side with BGL on this one. If I were sending a 12 year old son, I would side with Rev. However, I would definitely send my 18 year old to play for coach Knight. I would be confident that my son would:
a: graduate
b: be a better man
c: toughen up a little, and maybe even...
d: play in the NBA
I do not have a huge problem with Knight's style. I say this because in my opinion, a young adult that cannot take a wrap on the head every now and then also is likely to fold as an older adult when the chips are down.
bluegrasslady
There's no mistaking that Knight ultimately is a great coach. But his behavior leaves much ot be desired. And as an adult he can be exceedingly petulant and as annoying as an adolescent child. But it's inherent within the man himself and he'll never change. What can summize however from all of this is that his students that've graduated in many cases have gone to become productive citizens and led distinguished lives. And for that we should be all grateful !
Is there a wrong and right way of coaching ? Who can say as both Wooden, Knight and Krzyzewski have all done it in their own inimitable way.
I've a new post up under this guise titled Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen. Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ?
bluegrasslady
Also I've written under the rampantfanatic guise the following To All My Peeps In Da House ! (written 08/22/07). It amy well elicit a great deal of argument from those who are at the opposite end of the spectrum in this regard.
well, Don't know much about history, don't much trigonometry, don't don't know what a slide rule is for, but I do know that 1 and 1 is two and I'd bladly kiss your #### just for something to do but bobby knight is no different from every other petty, dictatorial, self centered, egotistical, screaming cursing coach. Now Knight just happens to be so obsessed that he cant take second level players and harasses and intimidate into winning in years the great teams have not been there.
But he doesn't get the real stars and coaches like him literally DESTROY kids with tons of talent but who are insecure or beat down in abusive homes, etc.. No sir. bobby knight is a cancer. I had 20 bobby knight's in my young life and everyone destroyed any potential I may have had gratifiying their own ego.
Last edited by OneLastOutlaw on August 29th at 2:24 PM.
I side with you, Bluegrass. It's funny that you mention General George Patton. I did in my comment on Rev's post. There is no way I send my son to Knight. He's a fool, he's mean, he is nasty, and does not know how to treat people like people. He is a coach who has stayed too long in the game.
Swamp, Knight's graduation rate speaks loudly!! Those tough enough to play for the man have gone on in life to do better and they can thank Knight for that.
tophat, maybe Knight is tough...no maybe about it, he is! But he has produced better men who have the balls to stick it out. As a mother I would probably kill the man unless I were given the chance to think about his actions. I would know he was making a better man out of my son.
I disagree with you about Knight. He follows his kids throughout their career and does anything he can to help. His kids grauate and go on to become successful. Yes, you have to be a certain type to play for him and yes he is an ####. But he is an #### that makes you better, not worse.
Now don't disagree with me anymore unless you want to see me cry :(
Hey All! I am a sports nut....especi ally college hoops!! You have to be if you are from Kentucky. Basketball is a religion here in The Blue Grass. We love our WildCats and can be tough on them at times. However, you will never find more loyal or passionate fans! I am a Steeler fan, I am a Reds fan but, I am a WildCat!!
BLEED BLUE!!
character. You either love or hate this man….there is no in-between. Would you allow your son to play college basketball for the infamous Bobby Knight? Those of you that know me know I am a college basketball freak so I am more than happy to debate anything that has to do with my passion. The problem is there is more bad news covering Coach Knight than there is good. We all know of the chair throwing incident or grabbing of players and of course deriding the press. So, where does one go to find the good in Bobby Knight? Believe it or not, I didn’t have to go very far. While I only have 2 daughters, would I allow my child or children to play for Bobby Knight? The answer is simple….yes, I would. 
grew up in nearby Orrville where he played basketball, football and baseball for the Orrville Red Riders. He played three seasons at Ohio State University (1960-1962) where he served as the sixth man on OSU’s National Championship team. After coaching high school basketball in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Knight joined the Army and coached the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 
reputation for physical intimidation, he dictates more with an acid tongue. Knight was only 24 years old when he took the reigns at West Point. While there he took Army to the semifinals of the NIT three times. This may not seem like a great accomplishment until you consider that no player was over 6’6” because of West Points’ height requirements. Throughout the years, Knight has remained the consistent drill sergeant who fiercely taunts his players while demanding total obedience. 
Hoosiers to 3 NCAA titles (1976, 1981, and 1987) as well as 11 Big Ten championships. He coached U.S. teams to gold in the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics. On Sept. 10th 2000 Bobby Knight was fired by IU president for a continuing pattern of “defiant and hostile” behavior. 3000 protesters marched to IU president’s house, Myles Brand, on campus and downtown Bloomington in reaction to his firing. Knight bid farewell during a rally held the next day to 8000 supporters. Coach Knight signed with Texas Tech on March 23, 2001. It was reported to have been a 5-year deal worth $1.25 million dollars with no extra behavior clauses in the contract. Knight surpassed Dean Smith on Jan. 1st, 2007 with 880 wins and became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA men’s division 1 history. 
love he has for the game of basketball. He is nicknamed “The General” and rightly so. His competitiveness reminds me of another famous General, George Patton. This commander also had a winning record and was known for coming close to destroying a lustrous career for slapping shell shocked soldiers in Army hospitals. Patton accepted no less from one soldier than he did from another. Bobby Knight can be described in the same manner. He expects high principles and demands not only from his players but from his coaching staff as well. However, Bobby Knight is first and foremost an educator. Every young man who has had the privilege of playing under Knight can take the lessons taught to them while playing ball and use them throughout their lives. 
Knight’s graduation rate was nearly 98 percent. Around 65 percent of college student/athletes will fail to graduate. Under the hard-love of Bobby Knight, Indiana University’s men’s basketball squad was an academic success. Only a handful of NCAA schools combine basketball excellence along with a high level of graduation among athletes. Knight has an ability to motivate, teach and push his kids to success. There are a number of assistant coaches and former players that have gone on to become successful head coaches. Perhaps the most famous is the current head coach of Duke, Mike Krzyzewski. 
your-face approach has been the subject of much criticism and sometimes rightly so. His passionate approach seems to follow generational lines. The younger generation sees Knight as a bully while the older generations say they do their best under strict guidance like that of Knight. In August of 2003 Knight was honored as the very first inductee in the Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends. This induction pays tribute to individuals that possess characteristics passed down by Vince Lombardi; these include dedication, teamwork, respect, love, family, and discipline. 
outnumber the mistakes he has made out of passion. His numbers speak for themselves and his integrity by not recruiting in the wrong way is very admirable especially in this day and age. If you have a son ready to leave home for work or school, you will not be there to protect or take care of him. If your child were good enough to play division 1 basketball you would want someone to take care of them in your absence. To that parent Bobby Knight represents everything you would want in a person shaping your son’s early adult life. 
