So Indiana finally fired Bobby Knight. This is something that should have happened a long time ago.
I was pretty sure Knight’s career was over when I saw him give a press conference over the weekend which had me laughing out loud. Describing the many restrictions and ultimatums he had been given about his behavior back in May, Knight looked out at the sea of reporters and actually said something like “I’d have to be a moron to do what this student alleges I did.” Does Knight think people outside of Indiana believe he is a mental giant? I turned to my wife and wondered why Knight was confessing on national TV.
Myles Brand’s press conference announcing the firing was also surreal, since it was basically one long apology by Brand for having to fire Knight. Not surprising from the same cowards who refused to fire him back in May even after it became apparent that Knight lied about his claim that he never choked Indiana basketball player Neil Reed during a 1997 practice. Unfortunately video tape surfaced of that incident. Some of the other stuff that Knight either admitted to doing or refused to deny doing were so bizarre that he should have been fired a long time ago.
Everybody talks about what an incredible record Knight had, 661-240, but in fact any number of people could get high performance out of their employees or players by using unethical methods. It is almost as if Knight’s supporters deny this and reason back that since Knight wins it must mean that his methods aren’t really unethical.
Good riddance Bobby Knight.
Source:
Coach’s tirades overshadowed titles until the end. CNNSI.Com, September 12, 2000.