Skip to main content
Mostly Clear icon
95º

Bob Knight, Indiana’s combustible coaching giant, dies at age 83

WASHINGTON, DC- JANUARY 12: ESPN announcer Bobby Knight during a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Pittsburgh Panthers on January 12, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. The Panthers won 72-57. (Photo by Mitchell LaytonGetty Images) (Mitchell Layton, 2011 Mitchell Layton)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) – Bob Knight, the brilliant and combustible coach who won three NCAA titles at Indiana and for years was the scowling face of college basketball has died. He was 83.

Knight’s family made the announcement on social media on Wednesday night, saying he was surrounded by family members at his home in Bloomington, Indiana.

Recommended Videos



Knight was among the winningest coaches in the sport, finishing his career with 902 victories in 42 seasons at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech. He also coached the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in 1984.

The Hall of Famer cared little what others thought of him, choosing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” to celebrate his 880th win in 2007, then the record for a Division I men’s coach.

He was nicknamed “The General” and his temper was such that in 2000 it cost him his job at Indiana. He once hit a police officer in Puerto Rico, threw a chair across the court and was accused of wrapping his hands around a player’s neck.

His critics fumed relentlessly about his conduct, but his defenders were legion. There was this side of Knight as well: He took pride in his players’ high graduation rates, and during a rule-breaking era he never was accused of a major NCAA violation.


Recommended Videos