Bob Knight reactions

Knight has always been a putative disciplinarian who lacked self-discipline. Now a man who demands loyalty has abandoned a Texas Tech team that is 12-8 (3-3 Big 12) and No. 54 in the RPI -- in other words, still harboring NCAA Tournament hopes. Along the way, the guy who has always disdained individual player glory sure didn't quit before he reached that 900-victory plateau, did he?

So now Knight takes his record 902 wins and quits. Bobby Petrino was charbroiled for leaving the Atlanta Falcons with three games left and the team at 3-10, but The General surrenders with at least 11 games to go and we're supposed to give him a pass?

I don't think so. Not if there are no health issues attached for him or anyone in his immediate family, and by all indications from those surrounding Knight, there are none. Remember, this is a guy who signed a three-year contract extension in September.

Knight told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that the timing was largely to benefit his son and successor, Pat.

That's nice for Pat Knight, who has a chance to be a very successful head coach. But what about the four seniors on the Tech roster: leading scorer Martin Zeno, No. 3 assist man Charlie Burgess and reserves Esmir Rizvic and Tyler Hoffmeister? How do they feel about having the last weeks of their college careers turned over to on-the-job training for the coach's son?

You'll hear a lot in the coming days about Bob Knight doing this "on his terms." Of course he did. When has Bob Knight ever done anything that was not on his terms? He is a walking one-way street.

He and I were sitting in a Bob Evans in Indianapolis at about 1 o'clock in the morning on the eve of Indiana's game in a holiday tournament against Mississippi State. Knight was talking at length about his team's lack of toughness when a boy approached the table very gingerly. Almost always in public situations, Knight was extremely approachable as long as people were polite.

"Coach, I'm sorry to interrupt," the boy began. "But I wonder if I could ask you a big favor."

I began reaching for a pen, assuming the youngster wanted an autograph. I was wrong. His name was Garland Loper, and he was 12 years old. He explained to Knight that his father and brother would like to meet him.

"Of course," Knight said. "Where are they?"

Garland pointed across the restaurant.

"You see, Coach, they're both deaf and mute," he explained. "They talk through me. They'd like to say hello to you if it's okay." Knight instantly waved over the two older Lopers. They signed to Garland, who spoke to Knight, telling him how much they loved Indiana basketball and how proud they were of him and his players. Knight was clearly touched by all three. He took down their home address and phone number and sent the entire family Indiana memorabilia and souveniers. He also invited them to a game.

Prior to the game, Knight took the Lopers into the locker room. He introduced them to his players, and then Garland again acted as the family spokesman so he, his dad and his brother could speak to the players. When he was finished, the room was absolutely silent.

"Boys," Knight said as he always did when his team had visitors. One by one, the players lined up to shake hands with the Lopers and introduced themselves.

When the Lopers had left, there was a long silence, and then Knight said, "Boys, I don't ever want to hear again how tough your lives are."

That was his pregame talk.

To this day, everyone on that team with whom I keep in touch remembers that scene.

I reckon that after the numerous transfers of 2005 and the quick fixes in 2006 Knight then figured that he owed it to Pat to get the program back on track. With the influx of John Roberson, D'Walyn Roberts and Mike Singletary in Texas Tech's 2007 recruiting class, this program is much closer to being pointed in a positive direction than it has been in a long time. You can see the young core, so long as they all stick around, and I tend to think that they will, that there is certainly some talent at Texas Tech. The program is in the best place it's been for years, at least in terms of going forward. I guess he thinks that this team has turned a corner with the youth. Zeno, Voskuil and Burgess barely registered on the radar on Saturday afternoon. It was the freshmen, notably Roberson and Singletary, that led the way. If there was ever a sign that the program was back to a place where Pat Knight had a chance, then this was it. That was the sign.

So, after all of that, do I believe Knight? On some level I do. Bottom line is that I think Knight really cares about the program and he wanted to give his son a chance. A real chance to coach a program that, so long as these freshmen come through, will eventually have a chance to compete for a Big 12 Title. I know, it's awfully lofty aspirations, but none of the three are good enough to leave early for the NBA, but all are talented. These are four year players who, if they stick around, could do something special if given time.

Perhaps we talk about the legacy that Bob Knight left or if Pat is equipped to do the job after a day or two, once the dust settles. I think we need to give this time to sink in.