Bob Knight does show emotions other than anger and rage.

The Texas Tech head coach was adamant that passing Dean Smith wasn't any big deal, but that was clearly a lie after watching him literally on the brink of tears in a postgame celebration on the court after earning the 880th win of his coaching career.

Knight was overcome with emotion as Frank Sinatra's My Way blared over the speaker system at United Spirit Arena. He was choked up standing on the court as confetti surrounded the arena, but then quickly turned back to the coach - talking about his players.

Knight isn't the only one glad it's over.

Those in the Knight camp are happy that the Texas Tech head man didn't have to prolong the inevitable en route to his record-breaking 880th victory. The anti-Knight fans are also content now that they won't have to hear from the white-haired coach from Lubbock anytime soon.

The bottom line is that Knight was - and still is - a terrific coach.

He won 880 games with just one NBA All-Star. He was successful in three different places - both on and off the court. He has a trio of national titles to his credit. He graduates his players and prepares them for life with and without basketball.

In a day and age when coaches are more concerned with getting kids eligible at any cost, Knight's focus is on getting the most out of his players and making certain they actually go to class. The words student-athlete are thrown around, but Knight makes his players earn it both on the court and in the classroom.

Knight can say that the record doesn't mean much to him, but that's definitely not the case. All you had to do was look at his face on Monday afternoon. He didn't want the march for the record to be a distraction for his current team, so he downplayed it.

After the Red Raiders fought off New Mexico on New Year's Day, Knight was first class.

He actually let his guard down at times. He showed varying emotions and the world was able to see the softer side of the hard-nosed former Army coach. Knight brought current players and even his wife onto the court, then spoke highly of AD Gerald Myers and past players.

Believe it or not, it's rare that you'll find one of his former players that doesn't speak highly of Knight. There are guys like Neil Reed, but they are the exception. Knight is tough as nails and can be ornery, but he sticks by his guys.

Although Knight will be the all-time winningest coach for the next decade or so, a former prot