| | ESPN.com
Now that Bob Knight has been removed as Indiana's coach, IU players are talking about leaving, and the university has begun its search for a interim coach, we asked ESPN's college basketball experts what they expect to happen over the next few days, weeks and months in Bloomington, Ind.
What's next for Indiana University, its players and Knight?
Digger Phelps |
Indiana has to find a coach quickly, whether he is an interim coach or hired on a full-time basis. I don't know what can happen. The school may elevate an assistant like Mike Davis. Will he take it out of respect for Bob Knight? Or will he seek Knight's blessing, having one of his former assistants take the position and keep the players comfortable? It's going to be a traumatic time for the players until someone is named. I think Quinn Buckner would be more loyal to Bob Knight in not taking the job unless Bob Knight said, "Quinn, I want you to take the job. Keep these kids happy. You know how to do it. You know the system. it's in place, and get these kids through it this year." The players will have to accept whoever is named and move forward. A lot of questions can't be answered until they make the move. If Indiana hires an interim coach, a year from now they could go after someone like Rick Majerus. Although he is coaching at Utah, he could be in position to return to the state of Indiana. He's a Midwest native, was an assistant to Al McGuire at Marquette, and did a great coaching job at Ball State. That would be an appropriate move for both Indiana and Majerus. As for Knight, I could see Bob taking a year off from coaching. Then, maybe a year from now, I think he would considering returning to coaching, even in the Big Ten, because of his love of the game, and his love of teaching the game.
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Len Elmore |
You have to feel for the Indiana players, who have been caught in the middle of this situation. Out of anger, some of made statements that unless they can play for one of the assistant coaches, or someone in the Indiana family, that Indiana may not have a team. Once the anger subsides, the players will recognize the situation, look at it as an abject lesson in behavioral problems, and development and recognize that they have to move on. There's not much they can do about Knight's life. That's up to Bob Knight. They have to look out for their own opportunities. Time must heal, and it will ultimately become business as usual. You can't really speculate about who the next coach may be. Indiana's program thrives on continuity and has such an established alumni base in basketball that there will be a lot of input. The clear choice might be Steve Alford, but I think he pretty much has himself anchored at Iowa for a while. Alford could make the same argument that Matt Doherty did when he left Notre Dame for North Carolina, saying it was a dream opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. It's a tough decision to be made. But I'm sure there are other high-profile coaches who would take a look at the Indiana job as being the ultimate, particularly in a basketball-crazed state like Indiana. I don't think Knight will return to coaching. With a little time, I think he will recognize deep down inside how he has comported himself and that his approach to the game has passed him by. No matter what he says in the coming days, he has to be thoroughly embarrassed. It's hard to see a coach with his record over the years getting back involved with a second-tier program, which I think would be the only opportunity open to him. He likes to hunt and fish, and has a tremendous following and a number of friends. He has opportunities to stay close to the game and rehabilitate his reputation. Most importantly, I would like to see him get some counseling and take care of his problems. He calls himself confrontational. The bottom line is that he is bordering on some serious anti-social type of behavior.
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Jay Bilas |
The emotional reaction of any player who loses his coach is to leave. Which would be understandable for these kids who have been through a lot. When the smoke clears, each individual player has to do what is in his own best interest. The question for IU is if it wants to name an interim coach the current players and recruits are comfortable with, and hope it can keep some continuity within the program. But keeping continuity since firing coach Knight may be impossible if the school wants to go in another direction than the Knight regime was going. If they hire assistants Mike Davis or John Treloar, they're still going to be dealing with questions about coach Knight. Davis can provide continuity, but he will be constantly questioned: Have you talked to coach Knight? Did you consult Knight on this game plan? Players will also be asked if they've been in contact with coach Knight. I've spoken to Davis recently and he knows he's in a very difficult position. He's been a loyal assistant to coach Knight, but not blindly loyal. His defense of coach Knight during the most recent public incident was very measured and rightfully so. He has to do what is best for himself and his family. There are all kinds of concerns for these assistants. Of course, each wants to remain loyal, but at the same time, each has to look out for the best interests of his family. Back in May, when the "zero tolerance" policy went into effect, I thought coach Knight would be able to comport himself and stay within the guidelines. He proved me wrong, but I still believe he is capable of doing it. It's just a question of whether he's willing to make the commitment. The responsibility for the situation coach Knight found himself in lies solely with him. Having said that, it would be hard for anyone who for so many years wouldn't hear from anyone what to do, or how to do it, to reverse field the way he was asked to do. Although along with his significant ability to coach comes a significant downside risk, he will have numerous job offers. I still believe coach Knight is a far better person than his public perception, and I hope he does coach again. But before he can, he has to deal with his inability to conform to societal norms.
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 Dick Vitale provides his thoughts on Bob Knight's future.
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