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Friday, March 23, 2001
Big 12 coaches welcome Knight with open arms



DALLAS – Bob Knight, the fiery-tempered basketball coach whose on-court tirades include throwing chairs and jostling his players, has a new set of friends – rival Big 12 coaches.

The conference's coaches overwhelmingly view Knight's hiring Friday as a boon for the conference.

"I am thrilled, personally, that Bob Knight is back in college coaching," said Baylor head coach Dave Bliss. "And while I wish that we didn't have to compete against each other, Texas Tech and (athletic director) Gerald Myers are a perfect match for one of the best coaches ever. The Big 12 Conference just got better."

Knight's was hired by Tech Friday after a six-month exile from college basketball. The school offered him a $1.25 million deal that comes to about $400,000 annually.

Big 12 coaches said just Knight's name is enough to generate positive attention for the Tech basketball program and the conference.

"Bob Knight's name alone will bring a lot of attention and exposure to not only Texas Tech, but to the rest of the league," said Texas coach Rick Barnes. "Obviously, his coaching record speaks for itself. He has been a huge part of college basketball for the past three decades."

Knight's temper led to his firing from Indiana in September. He had coached the Hoosiers to three national titles in 29 years.

The season before Knight was hired by Indiana, the Hoosiers went 7-17, 3-11 in Big Ten. They were 17-7, 9-5 in his first season and went on to win four consecutive Big Ten titles from 1973 to 1976. Besides three national championships, his record includes 11 Big Ten championships and an Olympic gold medal in 1984.

"Bobby had some wonderful qualities as a person," said Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton. "Every once in a while, things have happened that are disappointing to his friends and, probably, even to himself."

Knight's most infamous flare-up in a game was tossing a chair across a court. Years earlier, he was convicted for hitting a Puerto Rican policeman before a practice at the Pan American Games.

Other transgressions include kicking his son's leg during a game and allegedly choking a player in a practice. The final straw was when he grabbed the arm of a student who referred to the coach by his last name.

Tech is counting on Knight to improve a program stuck in reverse since reaching the Sweet 16 five years ago.

Colorado basketball coach Ricardo Patton said the Big 12 "has always been known for its outstanding coaches, and Coach Knight certainly adds to that."

About the behavior that got him sacked at Indiana: "Too often we judge people on certain things," said Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson. "I'm sure coach Knight's done things he regrets, just like we've all done."

Praise for Knight in the coaches ranks came from outside the Big 12, as well.

"It's great for our part of the country, and especially the Big 12 will get a shot in the arm," said Don Haskins, who coached Texas-El Paso for 38 years and is a close friend of Knight's.

Regarding the Tech professors who opposed Knight's selection, he said tersely, "They don't know him. All they know is a few things that have happened."

Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said Knight has not been accurately portrayed.

"To characterize him as a monster, like so many people want to do, I don't think is accurate. He is a unique person and has some personality quirks that probably don't get along with everybody, but he's been a great coach for a lot of years. I hope he has a lot of success."

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AUDIO VIDEO
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 ESPN's Ed Werder examines whether there will be a new Bob Knight in Texas.
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