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. 

In short, I would want Bobby Knight.

HE SAID: Would You Send Your Kid To Play For Bobby Knight?

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