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Bob Knight could pass former North Carolina Coach Dean Smith for the most career wins in NCAA Division I men???s basketball in tonight's game when his Texas Tech Red Raiders play host to Nevada-Las Vegas in Lubbock, Texas. It will be the crowning achievement on a 41-year career filled with: five Final Four appearances, three national titles, an Olympic gold medal as the coach of the 1984 United States team and a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
However, some worry that Knight???s coaching accomplishments have been overshadowed by his often profane and highly publicized tantrums, which include throwing a chair onto the court during a game against Purdue, a run in with a police officer in Puerto Rico, and especially his dismissal from Indiana in 2000 after 29 seasons in the wake of a confrontation with a student.
Knight hopes to remembered differently as reported by the New York Times, "I want them to know that I am a guy who watches more film than anyone, who cared if I could find a way to take advantage of a weakness in an opponent so I could beat them," he said. "I want them to know I???m a teacher."
I wonder when his career is over and everything is said and done, if he'll be remembered more for being one of the greatest coaches of all time or one of the most controversial and volatile coaches of all time. What do you think?
(Photo provided by Getty Images, taken by Matthew Stockman)
Having attended and graduated from Indiana University while Bobby was coaching, I'd have to say he's one of the greatest and most giving coaches of all time. He gave so much to the university and was completely snubbed back in 2000. He's definitely a teacher and is very passionate about the game (proven through his coaching style). Talk to his current and past players. Steve Alford received some of the toughest "abuse" from Coach Knight. He attended last night's game and had all positive things to say about Coach Knight.