Bob Knight, the longtime legendary Indiana basketball head coach, has passed away, the Knight family said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
Knight was 83. His birthday was last Wednesday, October 25.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family," the family said. "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. We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved husband, father, coach, and friend."
“It is a profoundly sad day for all of us who loved Coach Knight," current Indiana head coach Mike Woodson said. "My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Karen, his family, and to all those who loved him.
“I am so blessed that he saw something in me as a basketball player. He influenced my life in ways I could never repay. As he did with all of his players, he always challenged me to get the most out of myself as a player and more importantly, as a person.
“His record as a basketball coach speaks for itself. He will be remembered as one of the greatest ever and his impact on the game of basketball is etched in stone. His teams were always prepared and with him on the sideline, you always believed that he put you in the best position to win.
“I will always cherish the time we spent together after I played for him. His fierce loyalty to his former players never wavered. I am grateful that he was able to come to our practices after I came back. His presence meant so much to me, our staff, and our players.”
“This is a terribly sad day for the IU Basketball family, Indiana University, the state of Indiana, and the world of sports as we say goodbye to Coach Knight," former Indiana player Quinn Buckner said. "One of the things that he said to our 1976 team, which I was fortunate enough to be a part of, was that you may never see another team like this again. Well, I don’t know that we will ever see another coach like him again. I think it’s important for people to realize that. It was a special opportunity to have been coached by him, and an equally special opportunity to have him as a friend. Because as great a coach as he was, he was an infinitely better friend. He’s a big part of who we are, and we were very fortunate to have had him in our lives.”
“This is a tremendous loss to not only our IU Basketball Family, but the sport," Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson said. "His impact on the game is obvious when looking at his three NCAA and 11 Big Ten Championships and the 902 games that he won throughout a legendary 42-year head coaching career. As great as that record of success is, his impact is even more profound when looking at the enormous successes that his former players, coaches, and managers have enjoyed – both in the sport and outside of it - following their time working alongside Coach Knight and learning from him. His influence will continue to be felt through them for generations to come. I want to extend my deepest condolences to Karen, Tim, Pat, and the entire Knight family. The world of basketball lost a great one today. There won’t be another one like him.”
"“As we collectively mourn the passing of Coach Knight, we also celebrate a man who will always be an integral part of Indiana University’s rich and vibrant story," university president Pam Whitten said. "With unmatched accomplishment, Coach Knight’s brilliance ensures he will forever rest among the giants of college basketball.”
Knight – who won 662 games all-time at Indiana, finished with a .735 overall winning percentage and .700 winning percentage in the Big Ten – won three national championships, 11 Big Ten championships and an NIT title during his time with the program. "The General" marched the Hoosier sidelines in his red sweaters for 29 seasons, one of which being the 1975-76 undefeated season, which currently stands as the last true undefeated season at the Division I level.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to honor Knight with a memorial contribution to the Alheimzer's Association or Marian University.
Here are the links to donate:
In Memory of Coach Bob Knight – Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer’s Association leads the charge in Alzheimer’s care, support, research and advocacy.
In Memory of Coach Bob Knight – Marian University Marian University provides an education distinguished in its ability to prepare transformative leaders for service to the world.
Donations to any charity in his name are also appreciated, the family said.
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