Bobby Knight

Last night a true milestone in sports took place. Bobby Knight became the most winning coach in NCAA Division 1 basketball with 880 wins. Now I don't really follow college basketball or any basketball for that matter but I do follow Coach Knight. You may only hear him about when he does something outlandish like throwing a chair across the court during a game or refusing to be degraded by a reporter. I admire him for the way he has done it. His way! Coach Knight was fired from Indiana about 5 years ago. He built the entire sports program at Indiana and he expected and demanded respect for that. Apparent the university administration did not like him to except so much and after a series of incidences he was fired. Many people would have changed their style and approach after that but not Coach Knight. He has a bad temper and demands and expects perfection from those around him. It gets him in trouble. It also is what got him to the place he is now. He is a legend in sports. He has won three NCAA titles and who knows what the future holds for him. I think it was a shame and disgrace that Indiana University did not have at least a representative at the game last night. I really don't think Coach Knight cared though!

Here some of the highlights of his career:

Earned his 800th victory on February 5, 2003 following Texas Tech's 75-49 victory over Nebraska in Lubbock.
At the time of his 800th victory, Knight had compiled an 800-303 record
Became Army head coach at 24, earning the distinction of becoming the youngest varsity coach in major college history
His Army teams finished 102-50
His Army teams led nation in team defense for three consecutive years
Army participated in four NIT tournaments in five seasons (1966, 1968-70)
His Indiana teams won 11 Big Ten Conference titles (1973-76, 1980-81, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993) and participated in five Final Fours (1973, 1976, 1981, 1987, 1992)
Had a 32-0 undefeated season (1976)
NCAA Championship (1976, 1981,1987)
NIT Championship (1979)
National Coach of the Year (1975, 1976, 1987, 1989)
Big Ten Coach of the Year (1973, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981)
Coached Pan American team to gold medal (1979)
In 1984, he became one of only four coaches in basketball history to win an NCAA championship, NIT championship and an Olympic gold medal
One of only two coaches to both play on and coach national championship teams (the other is Dean Smith)
Youngest coach to reach 200, 300 and 400 wins
Sixteen of his former assistant coaches have become head coaches at the collegiate level
Has conducted clinics in Spain, China, Japan, East Asia, Europe, South America, Canada and Finland