Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight, who led the Hoosiers to three NCAA championships, has died at the age of 83, his family announced.
The Hall of Fame coach died Wednesday at his home in Bloomington, Indiana, surrounded by his family, his family announced in a statement. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.
“We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers and appreciate you continuing to respect our privacy as Coach has requested a private family gathering, which is being respected,” the family said. “We continue to celebrate his life and remember him today,” he said. Forever a loving husband, father, coach, and friend. ”
Knight was called a “legend” among coaches. basketball hall of famewas appointed in 1991.
He played for the Ohio State Buckeyes when the team won the NCAA Championship in 1960 and coached the Indiana Hoosiers from 1971 to 2000, when the team won three NCAA titles.
Knight also coached on the world stage. In 1984, he led the United States men’s Olympic basketball team to a gold medal at the Los Angeles Summer Games.
Knight has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year five times and National Coach of the Year four times.
Knight was born Robert Knight on October 25, 1940 in Massillon, Ohio, but was known as Bob or Bobby.
According to the Hall of Fame, he is one of only three coaches to win the “Triple Crown” of an NCAA title, NIT title and Olympic gold medal.
Commonly known as “General” Knight was described as fierce, and that passion showed on the court. In 1985, Knight famously threw a chair onto the court during a game against Purdue and was ejected.
Knight was ultimately fired by Indiana State in 2000 for violating then-Indiana University President Miles Brand’s zero-tolerance policy by grabbing a 19-year-old student by the arm and lecturing him about manners.
In 1979, Knight was charged with assaulting a police officer in Puerto Rico during an argument over gym use during the U.S. basketball team’s practice for the Pan American Games. UPI reported at that time.
He left the island before his trial, but Indiana authorities rejected a request to extradite him on a misdemeanor charge, and Knight later apologized, the station said.
At the enshrinement ceremony at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Knight appeared to joke about the incident after being introduced by friend and fellow Hall of Famer Pete Newell.
“Pete, if Puerto Ricans ask me to come to Puerto Rico and provide medical care, could you just tell them I’m tied up?” Knight said, drawing laughter.
After graduating from Indiana University, Knight coached at Texas Tech University from 2001 to 2008. Prior to Indiana University, he also coached at Army from 1965 to 1971.
knight I retired He retired from Texas Tech University in February 2008 and was succeeded by his son, Pat Knight.
In lieu of flowers, Knight’s family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Marian University in Indianapolis, but donations to charities in Knight’s name are also welcome, the family said.
Indiana Basketball called Knight one of the most successful and influential figures in college basketball history on social media.
“Coach Knight’s unparalleled accomplishments and brilliance ensure that he will forever rest among the giants of college basketball,” said Indiana University President Pamela Witten. stated in a statement.
governor of indiana Eric Holcomb described Knight as “an outstanding figure and fighter in the world of basketball, second to none.”
Knight said the awards and recognition that comes with coaching are more about the individual.
“I’ve never felt so comfortable being coach of the year or any coach,” Knight said in his Hall of Fame induction speech. “I think there’s a better nomenclature. It would be ‘Team of the Year.'”
“Because for a team to grow to the point where the coach can take credit for the team’s accomplishments, it shows a really great effort from the players, assistant coaches and everyone involved,” Knight said. “And it’s really a credit to the team.”
