Bob Knight, also known as Robert Montgomery Knight, was a prominent American basketball coach.
Bob was best known for coaching the Indiana Hoosiers for nearly three decades, from 1971 to 2000.
During his tenure, he led the Hoosiers to three NCAA championships and 11 Big Ten Conference championships, and had two undefeated seasons.
Bob Knight also coached for the Army and Texas Tech, and led the US men’s basketball team to a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Within the NCAA Division I, Bobby won 902 games. That’s the highest of any retired coach, and third behind current coaches.
While renowned for his coaching acumen, he also attracted controversy for his hot-tempered and frequently abusive behavior.
He famously threw a chair across the court during a game. After retiring, Bobby served as a part-time commentator with ESPN from 2008 to 2015.
Who was Bob Knight?
Bob Knight was born in 1940 in the town of Massillon, Ohio, and grew up in Orrville, Ohio. He began playing organized basketball at Orrville High School.
For college, Knight went to the Ohio State University from 1958 to 1962. There, he played college basketball under Hall of Fame coach Fred Taylor.
In 1960, Knight and the Ohio State Buckeyes won the NCAA championship title.
They subsequently made it to two further consecutive championships, but fell to the Cincinnati Bearcats both times.
Bob Knight Coaching career
Army (1965-1971): Bob Knight started his head coaching career at Army, where he led the Black Knights to four post-season tournament appearances in six seasons.
He had a record of 102-50 at Army.
Indiana (1971-2000): Bob Knight moved to Indiana in 1971 and turned the Hoosiers into a powerhouse.
He won three NCAA titles (1976, 1981, 1987), one NIT title (1979), and 11 Big Ten titles.
He had a record of 662-239 at Indiana. He also coached the USA men’s Olympic team to a gold medal in 1984.
Texas Tech (2001-2008): Knight finished his coaching career at Texas Tech, where he revived the Red Raiders program.
He led them to four NCAA tournament appearances and one NIT title. He had a record of 138-82 at Texas Tech.
He retired in 2008 with 902 wins, the most in Division I men’s basketball history at the time.
Legacy and Controversy: Knight is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential coaches in college basketball history.
He is known for his innovative motion offense, his defensive intensity, and his mentorship of many successful coaches and players.
He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
However, he is also notorious for his volatile temper, his physical and verbal confrontations with players, officials, media, and fans, and his dismissal from Indiana in 2000 after violating a zero-tolerance policy.
About Bob Knight Wife
Who was Bob Knight married to?
Bob Knight was married twice in his life. His first wife was Nancy Falk, whom he married in 1963 and divorced in 1986.
His second wife was Karen Vieth Edgar, whom he married in 1988.
Who is Karen Vieth Edgar?
Karen Vieth Edgar is a former teacher and administrator at Bloomington High School North.
She supported Knight during his coaching career and his health issues.
She also helped him reconcile with Indiana University after years of estrangement.
Bob Knight Children
Bob Knight had two children from his first marriage to Nancy Falk. They are Tim Knight and Pat Knight.
Tim Knight is a former assistant athletic director at Texas Tech University and a businessman.
Pat Knight is a former basketball coach at Texas Tech, Lamar, and North Alabama.
Bob Knight also had a daughter, Karen, from his second marriage to Karen Vieth Edgar.
She is a teacher and administrator at Bloomington High School North.
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