Bobby Knight, David Smith {TX Tech Chancellor} in Public Spat

Louisville, KY, Courier-Journal ^ | 02-03-04 | Gonzales, Patrick

[Theodore R.]

Knight, Smith in public spat BY PATRICK GONZALES A-J SPORTS EDITOR

A popular Lubbock lunch spot was the scene Monday of a verbal dust up between Texas Tech Chancellor David Smith and head basketball coach Bob Knight. Knight and Tech athletic director Gerald Myers did not return repeated telephone calls Monday seeking comment. Smith would say only that the university will have a comment at the appropriate time.

``I can't comment on it. It's a personnel matter,'' Smith said. An eyewitness to the incident gave the following account to The Avalanche-Journal: Smith was having lunch with another Tech employee at United Supermarkets' Market Street at 50th Street and Indiana Avenue.

Smith went over to the salad bar to talk to the coach. Knight flew into a rage, accusing Smith of being a liar and saying that there had been nothing wrong with his demeanor this year.

At that point, Smith backed away and turned to leave the area. Knight continued to follow Smith, who stopped and told Knight that he was chancellorof the university and deserved more respect from him.

The witness said there was no physical contact between the men, and nothing was thrown. Dan Sanders, executive marketing manager of United Supermarkets, said of the incident: ``This was not a major event as far as I'm concerned. It didn't inconvenience any customers, and it didn't destroy anything in the store. It's a fairly minor incident and the fact that it happened in our store is inconsequential.

They exited the store and that was it.'' Robert Black, chairman of the board of regents, said he was informed of the situation, and it will be handled by the university. He said he had no further comment.

The incident comes on the eve of a Big 12 matchup between Knight's Red Raiders and Baylor at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. The Red Raiders are 16-4 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12 Conference. Knight spent 29 years at Indiana and six at Army before being hired by Tech on March 23, 2001. During those stints, he fashioned a 763-290 record, with 11 Big Ten championships, three national championships and an Olympic gold medal in 1984.

His record at Tech is 61-26. Over the course of a storied career, however, Knight's volcanic temper and sometimes run-ins on and off the court have fallen under national media scrutiny.

Throughout his years at Indiana, television cameras have often caught Knight making physical contact with players. Two such episodes resulted in his well-publicized downfall at IU in September 2000. In March 2000, CNN-SI aired a videotape of Knight apparently grabbing former player Neil Reed by the neck.

After reviewing the tape, IU president Myles Brand placed Knight under a ``no-tolerance'' policy in regard to his behavior on and off the court. Also in September 2000, Knight allegedly grabbed an IU student by the arm and lectured him after the student greeted the legendary coach by asking ``What's up, Knight?'' Knight acknowledged the verbal confrontation with the student, but denied any physical contact.

Despite Knight's denial, Brand fired Knight several days later. Knight's temper returned earlier this season during an interview prior to a game against Iowa in Dallas on Dec. 22 and was aired nationwide at halftime on ESPN. Knight, sitting with former player and Iowa coach Steve Alford, responded to a question ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla asked Alford about a reported rift five years ago between the two coaches.

Knight responded with a profanity-laced tirade against Fraschilla and the media in general. Knight apologized the next day during a taping of his basketball show that aired later in the week. Myers released a statement on the night following the tirade.

``Neither the university nor the athletic department in any way condones the use of profanity in Coach Knight's description of his feelings about the media (Monday night),'' Myers stated. ``We feel Coach Knight was sincere in saying that he wished he had not used that type of language he used toward the media. ```I have talked to Coach Knight and I have expressed our feelings to him and he is in total agreement with them and regrets his choice of words.''

[mountaineer]

Knight responded with a profanity-laced tirade against Fraschilla and the media in general. Knight apologized the next day during a taping of his basketball show that aired later in the week. Myers released a statement on the night following the tirade. ``Neither the university nor the athletic department in any way condones the use of profanity in Coach Knight's description of his feelings about the media (Monday night),'' Myers stated. ``We feel Coach Knight was sincere in saying that he wished he had not used that type of language he used toward the media. ```I have talked to Coach Knight and I have expressed our feelings to him and he is in total agreement with them and regrets his choice of words.''

What, if anything, happened after UConn's coach did the same thing on national TV a week or two ago, that is, dropped a planeload of F-bombs? I didn't hear whether he had to apologize or the university scolded him.

[VRWCmember]

FOOD FIGHT!

I think you meant: FOOD FIGHT!

[subterfuge]

Yeah, he probably gets baited quite often. He just shouldn't be representing a Universtiy. But thats jmo.

[MEG33]

I have no quarrel with your opinion.I wasn't defending him.Most folks will tell you that recruits come to a school expecting to play for the coach that recruited them.

[VRWCmember]

The radio reports I heard yesterday afternoon said that Knight tossed a salad at him.

[Constitution Day]

Excellent!

[subterfuge]

He is a great coach, I'll give you that.

[John W]

Thats absolutely correct.And,although they've had a rough last week anyone who has watched TT this year can see that BK is getting very good players again.Not sure what that say about who.

[MEG33]

I think some just want to be coached by one of the best and think they won't mind the temper,I suppose.

[sausageseller]

Coach Knight has done THOUSANDS of good things that have NEVER been reported. This is by his choice to keep them secret. What is "horrible' is the way he is baited by people. Just like this chancellor did. Why don't you call for this chancellor to revel his comments to Knight. He will not reveal what he said because it will not serve his purpose for us to know the "rest of the story'!

[hispanarepublicana]

David Smith has an ego AS BIG AS TEXAS, and, although Bobby Knight does too, even a quick oil change supervisor who's been through HR training KNOWS that you don't have the kind of discussion Smith had with Knight with an employee at a salad bar in a public place.

It would be just like David Smith to be ANNOYED AS HELL that Bobby Knight's buddy, SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas, was coming to town to stay with the basketball coach rather than the chancellor.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

My daughter will be a freshman at TT next fall...... Go Red Raiders!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Knight has his good points and his bad points, but he is a bit unhinged.

[MEG33]

There are 8 Red Raiders in my family,and not because its close to home.That drive is so long!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I'm a Red Raider too...... (long ago!)..... We're moving to Houston this summer - our daughter had been accepted at Penn State but chose Texas Tech OVER PSU! Whohoo!

[hispanarepublicana]

And another thing......I'll bet David Smith today regrets having "passively demoted" (when someone gets hired and is wedged in between you and the person to whom you report)his vice chancellor for media and PR (not sure of the official title) for not being a "team player". In Smith-speak, that means that they dared to question or challenge him on something.

[MEG33]

I remember now that you are "coming home".That's great!Be sure and register to vote.You can do it when you get your new license,I believe.(I have it on the brain,LOL!)

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Absolutely! We will register to VOTE ASAP....lol

I am so excited for my daughter to attend Tech - they have changed so many things since I was there - I'm having flashbacks daily while looking at dorms and various activities offered............

[MEG33]

I have to tell you my daughter still has her Tech cowbell and gets so excited during Tech games on TV..I watch far away.She is intense!

[NYCVirago]

Coach Knight has done THOUSANDS of good things that have NEVER been reported. This is by his choice to keep them secret. What is "horrible' is the way he is baited by people. Just like this chancellor did. Why don't you call for this chancellor to revel his comments to Knight. He will not reveal what he said because it will not serve his purpose for us to know the "rest of the story'!

It's always the other guy's fault, isn't it. Bobby Knight is just an innocent victim, perpetually picked on. Like when he threw the vase at the A.D.'s 60-year-old secretary -- she was just "baiting" him, you see. (/sarcasm)