Legendary Indiana Coach Bob Knight Passes Away at 83
The basketball world was struck with grief on Wednesday night as news broke of the passing of the iconic Indiana basketball coach, Bob Knight. Knight, aged 83, breathed his last inside the historic Assembly Hall, moments before the Indiana women’s basketball team was set to tip off against Northwood in an exhibition contest.
The devastating news was announced to the crowd inside the venue, with a graphic displaying Knight’s image on the video board. The announcement was met with audible gasps from the stunned attendees, a moment captured in a video shared by Indiana reporter Talia Goodman. In honor of Knight, a moment of silence was observed while similar remembrances were held at Purdue and Kansas.
Indicative of his lasting impact, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Indiana will wear patches on their jerseys throughout the season to pay homage to Knight, as reported by The Herald-Times. Knight’s influence on the sport cannot be overstated, having spent the majority of his coaching career at Indiana from 1971 to 2000. During his tenure, Knight led the Hoosiers to NCAA titles in 1976, 1981, and 1987.
An impressive record followed Knight’s coaching legacy, with his Indiana teams never experiencing a losing season. They captured or shared 11 Big Ten titles and reached five Final Fours. His remarkable coaching career resulted in 902 victories, placing him fifth on the all-time list among Division I coaches.
In the wake of the news, countless members of the college basketball community shared their memories of the legendary coach. Jay Bilas, ESPN analyst and former Duke player, reflected on Knight, saying, RIP to the legendary Bob Knight. He was an American original. I had the honor of knowing him well, and while he wasn’t for everyone, I always truly liked, respected, and admired him.
As both a coach and mentor, Knight left an indelible mark on his former players. His alma mater, the United States Military Academy, paid tribute to him with a heartfelt post on social media: Be Thou At Peace, Bob Knight. Knight also enjoyed success coaching at Texas Tech for 6 ½ seasons before retiring in 2008.
Former ESPN host Sage Steele, an Indiana University alum, expressed her sorrow, emphasizing Knight’s influence: He is the reason why I fell in love with the game of basketball. He was bigger than life and was always kind and welcoming to me as a shy student/intern, and then later as a young reporter.
Passionate college basketball commentator Dick Vitale also shared his condolences, remembering Knight’s impact on the sport: So sorry to learn of the passing of Bob Knight who was so good in his prime teaching how to play the game. Always loved talking hoops with him over the years. My heart goes out to Karen, the love of his life, and his family and friends.
The basketball world mourns the loss of a true legend, and Bob Knight’s legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
