SCHOOL BULLY: "Knight Rules" in effect at Texas Tech

Fort Worth Star-Telegram ^ | 2/4/2004 | Gil LeBreton

[sinkspur]

Well, now we know who really runs Texas Tech University, don't we?

Anything else, perhaps, that coach Bob Knight would like the administration to do?

Wash his car? Buff his posterior?

With an adoring ovation ringing in his ears, Knight was back on the Texas Tech sideline against Baylor on Tuesday night. Knight's original "five-day suspension" for verbally assaulting chancellor David Smith had lasted, at best, maybe four hours.

"I regret that the situation turned out the way it did," Knight said in a statement released by the university. "I look forward to finishing this season in a strong fashion, and I am glad the situation is behind me so that I can return to the business of coaching."

Regrets? The only regret that Knight professes to have is how the episode "turned out," which is something that any convicted felon could say as he was being strapped into the electric chair.

Knight also declared that the "situation" was behind him. (Translation: Smith had better not ever try to mess with the coach again).

With his latest incident "behind him," coach Bob Knight has assumed the throne at Texas Tech.

Notice that Knight didn't issue anything remotely resembling an apology for the incident that occurred at a Lubbock supermarket.

He doesn't do apologies. He throws chairs. He disrespects chancellors. He bullies TV interviewers and arena managers.

But don't ever expect him to say that he's sorry.

Instead, Knight apparently used his considerable leverage Tuesday to turn the tables on Smith. The chancellor reportedly was only trying Monday at lunchtime to issue Knight a compliment, and silly fellow -- he thought that Knight actually cared.

When the tongue-lashed Smith tried to impose a suspension on the coach Tuesday, Knight presumably reminded everyone whose basketball team had a 16-4 record.

Whereupon, athletic director Gerald Myers issued the pronouncement: "The matter has been resolved in the best interest of the university."

It was the funniest line that anyone pronounced all day.

You bring home the dog, you bring home the fleas.

Myers, of all people, had to know that when he sloppily handled the firing of James Dickey and brought Knight out of coaching exile three years ago. But his rap sheet in Lubbock, topped off by verbally lambasting the school's chief administrator -- try that one at work sometimes, and see how long you still have a job -- suggests that Knight hasn't changed a bit.

He's still the bully, threatening the arena manager, belittling the ESPN reporter and showing no respect for the people who run the university.

This, though, is what it had come to for Texas Tech three years ago. Its brief run through the Big 12 Conference had shaken the school's confidence.

It sold its basketball soul to the devil.

I know, I know. Knight took all those Indiana teams to the Final Four. Knight graduates his kids. He runs a clean program. Knight raises money for the university. He helps old ladies to cross the street.

Blah-blah-blah.

So why does he insist upon embarrassing his university?

Knight would answer that question, as he often does, by relating some demeaning anecdote about the media. Probably R-rated.

It's the old you-don't-know-me defense. The problem is, Knight probably owns the most recognized coaching face in America. His words, both the mundane and the harsh, are quoted daily. His missteps are well-chronicled.

Oh, we know Bobby Knight, all right.

The media needs to mind its own business, the e-mails after this latest incident -- from Lubbock and from Indiana, mostly -- will tell us. Leave Knight alone, they'll write. Knight wins.

It's the same message, sadly, that the chancellor of Texas Tech University probably got Tuesday. Smith likely didn't want to be known as the bow tie who ruined the basketball program, and who chased off the booster contributions.

Deja Indiana, all over again.

The bully got his way Tuesday, just as he did for almost all of those years when he coached the Hoosiers. It can work, provided the bully wins.

The irony is that Knight never opened his iron head to hear Chancellor Smith's message. Considering his checkered past, Knight was doing better with his behavior.

Never mind now, though.

As of Tuesday, the chancellor is powerless.

Somebody maybe call a dogcatcher?

[sinkspur]

Here's your boy. He never changes.

[Glenn]

Here's your boy. He never changes.

Perhaps you'd rather date the guy with the bow tie who lives by the code of the politically correct.

[Always Right]

Perhaps you'd rather date the guy with the bow tie who lives by the code of the politically correct.

It's one thing not be 'politically correct', it is another thing to be abusive. For all of Knights talents and drive, he does need to keep his anger in check.

[Mercat]

KU plays Texas Tech on Saturday. My sister in law wants to buy our tickets. This incident is going to cost her a premium because I know that the crowd is going to trying to force Knight into a T. hehe.

[day10]

This column is so full of garbage I cant begin to comment.

But actually, it's good that Knight really does run the place, with him running it you get great stuff like this: http://www.universitydaily.net/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/02/04/4020705235fd1

[sinkspur]

Perhaps you'd rather date the guy with the bow tie who lives by the code of the politically correct.

Alumni associations run colleges. Everybody knows that.

Your adoration of "coach" would continue if he had axe-murdered the chancellor.

Knight knows he can get away with this stuff when he has a winning record. And Tech knew it was getting an emotional defective when it hired Knight.

[billbears]

"We really appreciate Coach Knight," Huffman said. "He came to me and asked if we would want to do this."

You never hear, at least not much nationally, about the good things Coach Knight does.

[meandog]

Sad...Bob Knight is a proven successful coach--he's the last NCAA coach to have a perfect season (IU) and he took a purely amateur team to a gold medal in the Olympics. His temperment makes Howard Dean's look tame by comparison. Time for Knight to bow out; or at least look at the NBA...

[Glenn]

Your adoration of "coach" would continue if he had axe-murdered the chancellor.

Not so. It's poor of you to say it. Perhaps you and Bob have something in common.

[sinkspur]

You never hear, at least not much nationally, about the good things Coach Knight does.

John Dillinger was good to his mother.

[JennysCool]

I'm guessing the chancellor, like most administrators, got where he is by being an unimaginative, boot-licking toady for most of his career. No sympathy at all for the poor chap.

[sinkspur]

I'm guessing the chancellor, like most administrators, got where he is by being an unimaginative, boot-licking toady for most of his career. No sympathy at all for the poor chap.

I have no sympathy either, if he won't stand up to the alumni association. Most alumni would support Mullah Omar for coach if he could win basketball games.

[Mr. Bird]

This nation's colleges and universities are loaded with professors and officials far more dangerous to young Americans than Knight will ever be.

One can at least argue that Knight does his job better than 95% of his colleagues; top performers in all professions get more breaks than their average coworkers.

Give me a Bobby Knight who teaches kids and truly gives back to the community he's involved in over some professorial whack job who's filling young minds with Stalinist drivel.

[Always Right]

Time for Knight to bow out; or at least look at the NBA...

LOL, Knight could not last one week in the NBA with his ego and all the players egos. Beisdes Knight hates NBA basketball.

[Iwo Jima]

I'm well aware of Knight's reputation and do not care for his personality or antics. But what exactly is this latest dustup about?

The way that I heard it, Knight was having lunch in public with another party when the admin guy comes up and basically says "Thank you for not being an a$$hole." I don't know what Knight did in reaction, but assume that it was a trademark Knight overreaction.

A lot of people would consider what (I have heard) was said to Knight to be insulting, although few would make a major deal out of it.

So, does anyone know exactly what happened?

[Always Right]

Give me a Bobby Knight who teaches kids and truly gives back to the community he's involved in over some professorial whack job who's filling young minds with Stalinist drivel.

Knight is a truely great coach and does a lot of great things. But Knight must keep his anger under control. Its a real problem.

[Kakaze]

" Here's your boy. He never changes. "

As I said on a couple of threads yesterday," it's like a time machine, only the names & places have changed" .

It's a good sign though that the press is actually going to call out the spots on the leopard, its a far cry from the way "coach" was cowed to by the Indiana media for all those years.

[Always Right]

The way that I heard it, Knight was having lunch in public with another party when the admin guy comes up and basically says "Thank you for not being an a$$hole."

That's the way Knight took it, but that is not what was said. Knight was too sensitive to the comment and did not take it in the light it was said or being offered. It was a misunderstanding, and Knight over-reacted. If you watched many Knight interviews, you can see how Knight sometimes looks for insults when they are not there.

[day10]

Knight's version:
http://www.universitydaily.net/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/02/04/402085068727e

I tend to believe him because the man is honest to a fault. If someone challenged my integrity in such a fashion (and multiple witnesses have said at one point Knight pointedly asked Smith if he was calling him a liar) I would react in much the same way.

Sorry, Knight bashers, I feel the lion's share of the blame for this one goes to a toady lib administrator who decided to discuss personnel issues in a public place.

[Baynative]

The article doesn't mention what the argument was about or how it began. Knight is a genius, a tightly wound person who admittedly goes overboard at times. He's old school, but given a choice of someone to be on your side when times are tough or you're being assaulted, who would you pick.

When a person has a reputation, there are always people who want to challenge it or give the guy a test. With Knight, it seems, many regret that decision.

When Isiah Thomas was being recruited by every big college in the nation he was offerred every financial and social perc imaginable. In talking with Bobby Knight she asked, "What will you do for my son?" His reply was, " He'll learn to be a man." She said that sealed the deal.


Sure, he's abrasive. But, he wll fight to the death for those he loves and what he believes.

Let's think how many people we know who fit that category. OOoops,there go the politicians.

[hispanarepublicana]

Oh, waaahhhhh! As a Tech alum in a family full of alums, I would sooner have the university run by anyone rather than the ULTRA LIBERAL Dr. David Smith, a pompous ass with a gargantuan ego and an even MORE LIBERAL busybody (and outsider) Doctor wife who is responsible for the anti-smoking ordinance in Lubbock restaurants and just recently tried to bully through a cat leash ordinance.

[Mr. Bird]

But Knight must keep his anger under control. Its a real problem.

It's a problem if it turns into physical assault, such as the incident with the IU player that was on video (appeared to grab him by the throat).

But verbal outbursts, or even tossing a chair across the court, are simply embarrassing PR problems for his employer. If they are willing to put up with them, I don't see the problem.

Getting back to the comparison to professors, I'm sure there are professors quietly seething as they unfairly lower the grade of a student they dislike. That's a real problem. All but one (the aforementioned kid with the throat) of Knight's charges defend him as a great teacher and coach to this day. Who else gets that kind of universal approval?

[headsonpikes]

It never fails to astonish me that America, founded by sober-sided English Puritans, elevates child-men such as Bobby Knight, Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton, and other Peter Pans too numerous to mention, to the acme of public esteem.

I have to look away, frankly.

[hispanarepublicana]

The chancellor reportedly was only trying Monday at lunchtime to issue Knight a compliment,

Oh, yeah....right, as in, "You haven't turned into a lunatic on the court lately. Good job." If my boss had said that to me in the middle of a very public and busy deli I would have clocked him.

[VRWCmember]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but here is my perspective on the situation:

1. The Chancellor approached Knight in a public place outside of the workplace and paid him a backhanded compliment. (Generally the equivalent of "Hey sinkspur, you've been doing a pretty good job lately of making reasonably intelligent posts", which might be interpreted as a criticism of earlier performance.)
2. Knight could have shrugged off the backhanded compliment and just said "Thanks" or something along those lines but instead took offense and responded confrontationally.
3. The confrontation escalated (probably not unilaterally but we really don't know that at this point) into a shouting match.

Regardless of who is "more" at fault (probably Knight), the incident was initiated by the Chancellor's comment to Knight. Had it taken place at the office, it probably wouldn't have escalated the way it did. I would think a University Chancellor would have better judgment than to initiate an encounter at a grocery store salad bar with a comment that apparently seemed offensive to Knight.

[kittymyrib]

Guess it's time my son-in-law and daughter, both Techsans, cancel their subscription to the Ft. Worthless Star Telegram...another leftist paper in Texas.

[Always Right]

All but one (the aforementioned kid with the throat) of Knight's charges defend him as a great teacher and coach to this day.

A lot of kids left Indiana University (including a Mr. Bird) and probably would not defend Knight as a great teacher. Knight is a great teacher, if you are willing to put up with the abuse. Knight can get the most out of players, but he is not for everyone.

[hispanarepublicana]

You forgot the backstory. In addition to Knight being an ultra-conservative and Smith being an ultra-liberal (see my post above), Smith is a very petty guy who talked smack all night about Knight to some important sports boosters recently. It seems he and Knight were to meet at the United Spirit Arena to take these supporters to dinner after a game. Knight went in the locker room to change clothes, and Smith thought Knight had ditched him. Smith then proceeded to take everyone to dinner (ditching Knight), and talked smack about Knight all through dinner (until Knight managed to get there alone).
NOW IS THAT HOW A CHANCELLOR OF A UNIVERSITY SYSTEM SHOULD ACT?

[hobbes1]

Vast, this one is an unusually trenchant analysis... ; ) lol....

Series tho, So what we have then is, a Basketball Coach given to Anger, and a University Chancellor given to stupidity.....

Hm, which quality, in which employee renders said employee more unfit for the task for which he is employed?

[Bob Mc]

It is a stupid management practice to give out im-promptu performance reviews to employees in full view of the general public.

[Iwo Jima]

It was at best a back-handed compliment. In any event, performance issues should not be raised in such a publlic venue (except for a very brief and unequivocally positive "Great game, Coach!").

The chancellor was clearly at fault in precipitating this altercation. Knight very likely overreacted to the provocation. (You really wouldn't have clocked your boss, even if you had wanted to, would you?)

[sinkspur]

If my boss had said that to me in the middle of a very public and busy deli I would have clocked him.

And he would have fired you.

[hispanarepublicana]

I also forgot to add that Smith's gargantuan ego was smarting like hell all week because Knight's buddy, Clarence Thomas, was in town visiting and staying with the Knights (and not the Smiths-Bacchis who probably don't even know anyone and couldn't carry water for anyone on the SCOTUS).

[hispanarepublicana]

And he would have fired you.

Not before I'd have told him to stick his job up his whoopsy-daisy.

[Always Right]

In addition to Knight being an ultra-conservative and Smith being an ultra-liberal

Knight is a pro-abortion moderate Republican.

[kabar]

Knight has been "Deaned." The media has conditioned the public to believe that Knight is a time bomb ready to go off at any time without warning. Without knowing all the facts, I seriously doubt that Knight precipitated the incident in a public eatery with Chancellor David Smith. The two obviously have had some clashes before. Smith did not hire Knight. If Smith made some backhanded compliment about Knight behaving properly (sort of like telling him that he was pleased that Knight was no longer beating his wife), then I can understand why Knight was upset. He took the bait, much to the delight of the media.

[day10]

Knight's buddy, Clarence Thomas

I have to say that this is pretty cool. How would you like to have Justice Thomas stay at your place?

[hispanarepublicana]

Not before I'd have told him to stick his job up his whoopsy-daisy.

Might I add "his $12,000/year job". That's the salary Knight agreed to when he came here(and, no, I didn't mis-type that).

[dtel]

"What came out this morning in some kind of release, I have no idea from where, was inaccurate," he said. "I was standing at the salad bowl, and the chancellor came up to me on my right. I had already put lettuce in my plastic salad dish and he said to me, 'Bob, you've really been doing well lately; you've done a very good job lately.' I just simply said, 'you know David, as long as I've been here for the most part,' I didn't say all, believe me. I said 'for the most part I've done well.'

After that, Knight said, Smith came toward him "pretty hard" from about 15 feet away.

"He said 'you've got issues! What are they?'" Knight said. "Right then is where I think I was at fault. I should have just shook my head and walked away, and I didn't. I went on to tell him what one of those issues was, and then it got back and forth a little bit. But I absolutely did not instigate anything."

Thanks for the link.

[sinkspur]

Might I add "his $12,000/year job". That's the salary Knight agreed to when he came here(and, no, I didn't mis-type that).

That was year one. He's not working for $12,000/year now.

[pointsal]

Bobby Knight is, in my opinion, an undesirable creep. Fire him!

[BadAndy]

Knight was hired for his coaching skill not his cuddliness. Just leave him alone as long as he doesn't physically assault people. The chancellor should know better than to dance on a land mine.

[hispanarepublicana]

The chancellor should know better than to dance on a land mine.

He knew better on Jan. 30, but on Monday, Feb. 2, a virtually new board of regents came into effect (3 new members). The previous board of regents had been very supportive of Knight (much to the chagrin of Smith).

[sinkspur]

Just leave him alone as long as he doesn't physically assault people. The chancellor should know better than to dance on a land mine.

Why should he be left alone? He embarrassed the school with a profanity-laced tirade on ESPN last month. That came out of nowhere.

The media will continue to poke him with a stick 'cause the outcome is fun to watch.

[hispanarepublicana]

The media will continue to poke him with a stick 'cause

The media are still smarting from Knight's ambush of them during the press conference when he was hired at TTU. It was an open press conference with the media on the floor of the United Spirit Arena and the bleachers filled with fans. Certain media members who tried to bring up old hash were shouted down and booed by the fans. Most FReepers would probably give their eyeteeth to have a White House press conference in a similar venue.

[JFC]

I agree... people who do not live here think they know all the details.

FYI, at the game last night in Lubbock, was Clarence Thomas, a friend of Coach Knight. He came to speak to the Tech Law School. Coach Knight has lots of friends. If you want to read the real story do not go to Ft.Worth Star.. they are jealous as hell of Tech. Dick Vitale is a good buddy of Coach Knights and he has his own article on ESPN.

[Senator_Blutarski]

Sports are the last meritocracy in America. We've dumbed down our schools, the PC police are everywhere, we've implemented affimative action, and the list goes on.

You may not like Bobby Knight's style, but you can't argue with the results. I'm not an advocate of "success at any cost", but that's not what Bobby delivers. Bob Knight wants higher educational standards for student athletes, he demands discipline, hard work and appropriate behavior from his players. Most of his former players are supportive of him. He is generous and supports numerous charities.

Is he a hypocrite for behaving in ways that he won't allow his players to behave? Probably. His freshmen player are told to "listen to what he says, not how he says it." He's far from perfect. I think Rick Majerus got it right: Majerus said that on the balance sheet of life Bobby Knight has a lot more positives than negatives. I'll take a Bobby Knight that throws a chair now then over other coaches who cheat on recruiting and cheat on their wives. What you see is what you get with Bob Knight.

In a world full of Kobe Bryant's and Allen Iverson's, guys like Bobby Knight are a breath of fresh air.

[JFC]

You got that right.... ULTRA LIBERAL DAVID SMITH is so full of himself and he and his wife started the whole smoking ban in Lubbock. David Smith is the pompus ass.... not Coach Knight.

If some of you want to read what us in Lubbock and Texas Tech Alums think of our loved Coach... here is a tread..
http://mb10.theinsiders.com/fraiderpowerfrm4?page=1

[Baynative]

A former Red Raider myself, I can remember the days when Tech and Lubbock were topics of ridicule. I was there when a long battle raged over the name change from college to University left administrators confused in their attempts to be politcally correct and please everyone.

The knock was that 'Tech' and 'University' was an oxymoron. But under it was some tradition and value of the past for folks who were born and raised in a hard scrabble town that besides cotton was really all TECH.

Then came the dedication of the new law school and who did the administrators bring in as the speaker for the dedication event? Raymon Burr; "I'm not a lawyer, but I play one on TV."

WELL - athletics is a big thing in America and expecially in Texas. Tech has long been overshadowed by former SWC giants like Texas, Arkansas and A&M. It has craved a boost for a long long time. Tech and Lubbock have always been proud of their representatives even in mediocre years.

Bobby Knight is reflective of the inner strength that is not overtly exhibited by the hard working and soft spoken people around the HUB. They understand guts, pride and respect earned through persistence ("inheritance" some might say). When I was there, I never felt that the local folks really understood the elitist nature of campus educrats, but they endured it if it meant a better educational environment for the farm kids from all over the plains.

I think Coach Knight will be admired there for some time to come. He may bring an occasional publicity slam but he counter acts that negativity with something more important to folks who value heart.