Bob Knight looks on at an Indiana game in 2020.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
College Basketball

Sports World Reacts to Death of Legendary Indiana Coach Bob Knight

Bob Knight was a legendary basketball coach at Indiana, and he touched the lives of many. They mourned his passing.

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On Wednesday, legendary Indiana Hoosiers college basketball coach Bob Knight died at his home in Bloomington, Indiana. He was 83 years old.

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For the last several years, Knight battled dementia and had been in poor health.

As the NCAA pointed out on X, Knight not only won the three titles as a coach, but he won one as a player, went to five Final Fours, won 11 Big Ten Championships, three AP Coach of the Year awards, one Naismith Coach of the Year award and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

He played forward at Ohio State from 1959-1962. As a coach, he spent time at Cuyahoga Falls High School, Army, Indiana and Texas Tech, retiring in 2008.

Of course, whenever a death of a legend like this occurs, the sports world speaks out.

Pat McAfee left a heartfelt message for the late coach, saying, "When I got drafted to the Colts and I started learning about this beautiful state.. it quickly became obvious that this state loves basketball and 1 of the reasons why was Bob Knight I didn't know much about him before I got here but every IU fan would let you know he's the greatest college basketball coach of all time AND although he was far from perfect.. he never took any shit If you find some time, you should do what I did.. just start watching Bob Knight videos on YouTube. He's an absolute character.. 1 of 1.. his golf instructional videos are top notch entertainment and his press conferences were Must Watch. Rest Easy to a man who has impacted so many lives in Indiana and around the College Basketball world."

Dan Patrick took some time on his show, "The Dan Patrick Show," to speak about the coach.

Patrick talked about how Knight hated the "SportsCenter" anchors, especially Keith Olbermann. He then recounted an incident where Bob Knight asked Jay Bilas if any SportsCenter anchor knew basketball. Bilas said Patrick, and Knight asked Bilas to have Patrick call him. After the call, Knight told Patrick that if he ever wanted him on the show, to let him know. He passed the test.

Bilas also paid tribute to him on ESPN.

"Bob Knight was brilliant in every way, I've never seen a better coach on the floor..." Bilas said on X. 
Even the former President of the United States, Donald Trump, had something to say about him on the social networking site "Truth Social."

Sage Steele, formerly of ESPN, also spoke about her experience watching Coach Knight make his return to Skjodt Assembly Hall in 2020.

"Not a word was spoken during this beautiful piece...because no words were necessary. What a moment. Forever grateful I was there to witness his long awaited return to IU, which we all knew was also his goodbye." Steele said.

Rece Davis of ESPN also wrote a small tribute to the legendary head coach.

"Bob a complicated man. But he was my friend. I loved working with him. I've never seen anyone who had friends from all walks of life more loyal to him. When I last spoke to him he said, "my boy, we had some good times didn't we?" Yes Coach. We sure did." Davis said.

Movie star Adam Sandler took to X to discuss his time with Coach Knight during the filming and making of "Anger Management."

"Sending love to coach's family. Won't ever forget how much fun we had together making Anger Management. And won't ever forget my pop being sick and Bobby calling him to lift his spirits. RIP Bobby"
Knight had his fair share of supporters and detractors, but he was unapologetically himself.

"When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed," he said. "I want them to bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ass."

MORE: The Indiana Hoosiers All-Time Starting Five is Made Up of Bloomington's Best

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