Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight dies at 83

Bob Knight, the legendary Hall of Fame coach in men’s college basketball, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83. Knight had an illustrious career that included three national titles at Indiana University, one of which was an undefeated season that no team has accomplished since.

His family released a statement, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family. 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 as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend.”

Knight began his coaching career at Army in 1965 and quickly made a name for himself. He then spent 29 years at Indiana, where he won a school-record 661 games and reached the NCAA tournament 24 times. Knight’s first NCAA title came in 1976 when his Indiana team completed an undefeated season. In 1984, he led the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in Los Angeles. Knight finished his coaching career with a record of 902-371.

Despite his success, Knight’s career was not without controversy. He was forced to resign from Indiana in 2000 for violating a behavior policy, and he faced accusations of physical confrontations and outbursts throughout his career. Knight went on to coach at Texas Tech and later worked as a college basketball analyst for ESPN.

The impact Knight had on the game of basketball was undeniable. His coaching style and emphasis on discipline made him a revered figure in the sport. Knight’s legacy will always be cherished, and his contributions to college basketball will forever be remembered.

Robert Montgomery Knight, born on October 25, 1940, in Orrville, Ohio, was a standout high school athlete before playing college basketball at Ohio State. After his playing days, Knight went into coaching and achieved great success throughout his career.

Knight’s journey was filled with triumphs and controversies, but his impact on the game will never be forgotten. He will be remembered as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history.