Bob Knight dies at 83: How Indiana, college basketball reacted to death of legendary coach
Bob Knight, the winningest basketball coach in Indiana history, died on Wednesday at age 83.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family," the Knight family said in a statement. "We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored. We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend."
Knight's death was felt across the college basketball world, especially at Indiana, where a moment of silence was held in his honor ahead of the Hoosiers' women's basketball team's exhibition game on Wednesday night.
Here's how college basketball reacted to Knight's death:
More: A day we knew would come: The death of IU coach Bob Knight, and the reckoning of a legacy
Indiana video tribute after Bob Knight death
Indiana released an obituary for Knight on Wednesday.
One of the most successful & influential figures in the history of college basketball. pic.twitter.com/6XMvJvcuaB
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) November 1, 2023
Both Indiana men's and women's basketball will wear patches on their jerseys to honor Knight this season, and those are expected to be unveiled on Friday.
Mike Woodson statement after Bob Knight dies
"It is a profoundly sad day for all of us who loved Coach Knight," Mike Woodson, the current IU basketball coach who played for Knight at Indiana from 1976-80, said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Karen, his family and to all those who loved him.
"I am so blessed that he saw something in me as a basketball player. He influenced my life in ways I could never repay. As he did with all his players, he always challenged me to get the most out of myself as a player, and more importantly, as a person.
"His record as a basketball coach speaks for itself. He will be remembered as one of the greatest ever and his impact on the game of basketball is etched in stone. His teams were always prepared and with him on the sideline, you always believed that he put you in the best position to win.
"I will always cherish the time we spent together after I played for him. His fierce loyalty to his former players never wavered. I am grateful that he was able to come to our practices after I came back. His presence meant so much to me, our staff and our players."
My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Knight’s family and all who loved him. He influenced my life in ways I could never repay. It is a very sad day for all of us who loved him. pic.twitter.com/lfo9GhCEwZ
— Mike Woodson (@MikeWoodsonNBA) November 1, 2023
Mike Krzyzewski statement on Bob Knight's death
Krzyzewski, the former Duke basketball coach, played under Knight at Army and was an assistant under Knight at Indiana for one season. Coach K released a statement following Knight's death Wednesday night, according to WTVD-TV in Raleigh-Durham.
We’ve obtained a statement from former #Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski on the passing of his former coach Bob Knight: pic.twitter.com/yEN6fpH7bs
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) November 2, 2023
IU President Pam Whitten statement
“As we collectively mourn the passing of Coach Knight, we also celebrate a man who will always be an integral part of Indiana University’s rich and vibrant story. "With unmatched accomplishment, Coach Knight’s brilliance ensures he will forever rest among the giants of college basketball.”
IU Board of Trustees chair Quinn Buckner statement
Buckner is the chair of the IU Board of Trustees and played for Bob Knight at Indiana from 1972-1976.
“This is a terribly sad day for the IU Basketball family, Indiana University, the state of Indiana, and the world of sports as we say goodbye to Coach Knight. One of the things that he said to our 1976 team, which I was fortunate enough to be a part of, was that you may never see another team like this again. Well, I don’t know that we will ever see another coach like him again. I think it’s important for people to realize that. It was a special opportunity to have been coached by him, and an equally special opportunity to have him as a friend. Because as great a coach as he was, he was an infinitely better friend. He’s a big part of who we are, and we were very fortunate to have had him in our lives.”
Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson statement
“This is a tremendous loss to not only our IU Basketball Family, but the sport. His impact on the game is obvious when looking at his three NCAA and 11 Big Ten Championships and the 902 games that he won throughout a legendary 42-year head coaching career. As great as that record of success is, his impact is even more profound when looking at the enormous successes that his former players, coaches, and managers have enjoyed – both in the sport and outside of it - following their time working alongside Coach Knight and learning from him. His influence will continue to be felt through them for generations to come. I want to extend my deepest condolences to Karen, Tim, Pat, and the entire Knight family. The world of basketball lost a great one today. There won’t be another one like him.”
Tom Crean statement on Bob Knight
Crean coached at Indiana from 2008-17.
Always a favorite picture of Bob Knight. Although we never got him back to @IndianaMBB to be honored on our watch, I was so thankful when he finally did return. We were always going to REVERE what he accomplished and who he accomplished it with. Our deepest condolences. pic.twitter.com/sGCKnHvOO9
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) November 1, 2023
Chris Beard statement on Bob Knight
Beard, now at Ole Miss, was the coach at Texas Tech from 2016-17 to 2020-21, after serving as an assistant at TTU under Pat Knight, who had replaced his father as coach of the Red Raiders.
Bob Knight coached Texas Tech from 2001-08.
Rest in Peace Coach. Thank you for everything. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/mh64t6XrZN
— Chris Beard (@CoachBeard) November 1, 2023
George Karl statement on Bob Knight
Karl, the longtime NBA coach, is one of only nine NBA head coaches to win 1,000 games.
Bobby Knight is one of the guys who took basketball to a higher level. He taught at a higher level and helped it become the 2nd most popular sport in the world.
He was a tough cat but will always be remembered as one of the grandfathers of the sport.
May he rest in peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7IDWf9zXne— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) November 1, 2023
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bob Knight death: Reaction after legendary Indiana basketball coach dies