Despite 42 Years As Coach, Why Did Bob Knight Apologize to Save His Job?

Legendary Bob Knight aka ‘The General’ coached for more than 40 years, as a distinguished figure in the history of men’s basketball. Interestingly, his staggering 902 NCAA basketball championship victories were the all-time collegiate record for a men’s basketball coach. Sadly, his demise on the 1st of November marks the end of an era.

His intense and often controversial methods had a significant impact on players and everyone else. He was mostly known for his fiery temper prevailing both on and off the court. However, he did apologize once to save his job.

When Bob Knight felt sorry for his temper

As reported by Sports Illustrated, Bob Knight once said, “The average coach wants his team to score points. It’s his character, his machismo, whatever you want to call it, that’s at stake. So if I make a coach concerned enough about my defense stopping his offense, then he’ll forget about my offense.”

This defined him as a coach who trains his players to strategize the game and win. Despite that, he was incapable of controlling his temper, and his tongue. Without any remorse, he would bully his secretary, punch his sports information director, and grab a college kid by the neck. His borderline thuggish behavior was taking a toll on everyone’s tolerance and sanity. Evidently, in March 2000, he stated, “I see absolutely no reason to change my ways.” A few weeks after that, a videotape from 1997 resurfaced. In that video, Knight was seen grabbing one of his players by the throat during a practice session. This led the University trustees to issue a ‘zero tolerance policy’, along with which Knight was then given a warning that any violent behavior in the future would lead to his dismissal from the premises.

He then issued a 330-word statement, apologizing for his explosive temperament. “There are times when my passion for basketball led me into confrontations that I could have handled a lot better. I’ve always been too confrontational, especially when I know I’m right. I’m not very good at just forgetting something and going on, and I’m truly sorry about that.”

Read More: How Much Did Bob Knight Earn From 38 Years as NCAA Coach?

But what happened after the apology?

Knight lost it again!

Following his apology, he stepped on the campus floor in September 2000, when a freshman student shouted at him, “Hey, what’s up, Knight?” 

In response, Knight grabbed that student’s arm and crushed him for not showing him respect. The University president cited an unacceptable pattern in his behavior and fired Knight.

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What are your thoughts on Knight’s aggressive temper? Tell us in the comments.