Legendary College Basketball Coach Bob Knight Dies at 83

Ryan Berenz
Bob Knight Texas Tech
Ronald Martinez/ALLSPORT/Getty Images

Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Knight, legendary and often controversial college basketball coach, has died at 83 after years of declining health.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family,” according to statement from Knight’s family. “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored.”

Nicknamed “The General,” Knight led the Indiana Hoosiers to three national championships, including an undefeated 32-0 championship season in 1976, a feat still unmatched.

Knight’s success as a coach was often overshadowed by his volatility. He was forced out at Indiana in 2000 after grabbing the arm of a freshman student whom he said spoke to him disrespectfully. He was ejected from a game in 1985 for throwing a chair onto the court. In 1997, Knight appeared to choke a player during a practice.

Knight became head coach at Texas Tech in 2001 and coached for six seasons. He resigned in the 2008-09 season, and worked as an analyst for ESPN.

Knight is sixth on the NCAA all-time career coaching wins with 902.

Brian Dennehy played Knight in the 2002 made-for-TV biopic A Season on the Brink.

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