Bobby Knight's Future in Question

Bobby Knight may be moving to Ohio.

The rumors are getting louder that ex-IU coach may be coming back to his alma mater, Ohio State.

We first told you about the possibility of a Big Ten comeback for Knight last week on Newswatch.

A reliable source from Columbus, Ohio, says Bob Knight will leave Texas Tech to become the new head coach at his alma mater Ohio State. And, that announcement will come Friday.

Wednesday afternoon Newswatch spoke with Emily Jones at our sister station KCBD in Lubbock, Texas. She had this to say, "All bet's are off when it comes to Bob Knight. We've heard everything from one end of the spectrum to the other. Yes for sure he is going. Yes for sure he is staying. So what we do know is he has a contract on his desk that would keep him at Texas Tech until 2009. I spoke with Ron Phillips in the University's President's office today. He said he is just waiting on the signature and he feels good about the possibilities of Coach Knight going ahead and signing that and coming back to Texas Tech."

So, what are people saying in Columbus, Ohio? Thursday afernoon, we checked out that story with Joe Weasel, a sports reporter with WCMH TV in Columbus. He reported, "We are hearing a lot of the same things as you guys out there, and that is that potentially a contract has been offered as early as today to Coach Knight. And then that he would accept it on Friday. Upon hearing that, I contacted OSU's athletic director Andy Geiger and he told me quote 'That would be news to me, I am amazed to hear that stuff."

But whatever the answer, Newswatch was told it'll be coming Friday, if not sooner. When it comes to Bob Knight, all bets are off, meaning you hear just about everything.

http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=1964964

Dick Vitale, as expected, wasn't shy about expressing his opinion on who should get the job.

"There's one guy for that job, man," Vitale said. "If they want a buzz, man, and create some excitement for at least a five-year period it would be an absolute win-win situation. His positives totally outweigh the negatives - I'd make the call to Robert Montgomery Knight."

Knight, a 1962 graduate of Ohio State, is currently the coach at Texas Tech. He is 832-323 over 37 years and needs just 48 wins to pass North Carolina's Dean Smith as the winningest major-college coach.

The volatile Knight won three national championships during his 29 seasons at Indiana. He was fired in 2000 for "defiant and hostile" behavior. There is little question that Knight would draw a lot of attention to Ohio State's often overlooked basketball program.

"We know about his temper battles, but who does he really hurt except himself there? The bottom line is, he graduates players, he does things with integrity (and) it's his alma mater," Vitale said. "To me it's a no-brainer. Can you imagine the press conference to announce his hiring? It would be unbelievable."

Vitale gulped for a breath of air and added, "You tell Andy Geiger I would do that Ohio State-Indiana game in a moment and I would donate my check for that day to Andy Geiger's favorite charity."

Monson said that if Knight is hired by Ohio State, the coach's return to Indiana would certainly get his attention.

"I know this," Monson said, "I want to be a fly on the wall - if it were to come to pass - when they go to Bloomington."


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COLUMBUS, Ohio - It is "highly unlikely" that Ohio State will hire Bob Knight as its new basketball coach, the Columbus Dispatch reported Thursday.

That puts Marquette coach Tom Crean at the forefront of the Buckeyes' search for a new coach, ESPN reported Thursday. Crean, a former Michigan State assistant, has strong support within the Big Ten Conference.

Knight, the current Texas Tech coach, former Indiana coach and former Ohio State player, probably will remain with the Red Raiders, said ESPN, quoting multiple sources.

It is unlikely that Crean can take Marquette higher than its Final Four berth in 2003. Furthermore, Marquette is moving to the Big East Conference.

ESPN reported that Crean can't afford to be involved in a drawn-out process. If Ohio State wants him, and makes it clear that he can't go after the Michigan State job if Tom Izzo leaves for the NBA at some point, the Buckeyes have to pursue him hard, ESPN reported.

Crean began his coaching career as an assistant at Michigan State in 1989-90, then moved on to Western Kentucky as an assistant for four years and to Pittsburgh for a season before returning to Michigan State for four years.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5288846/

Rumors flew that Knight would land at his alma mater, but AD takes a pass on him.

From The Associated Press


LUBBOCK, Texas -- Scratch Bob Knight's name from the list of candidates for the Ohio State coaching job.

The Texas Tech coach released a statement Thursday night saying he has been told that his alma mater won't be considering him.

"Last night, a friend of mine from Columbus (Ohio) called me to say that the athletic director had decided not to discuss the vacancy with me," Knight said. "Therefore, there was no need for me to consider it."

The Buckeyes are looking for a replacement for Jim O'Brien, fired June 8 after Athletic Director Andy Geiger said the coach admitted giving $6,000 to a recruit in 1999.

Knight agreed earlier this month to a three-year extension of his contract, which would keep him at Texas Tech until 2009. Nonetheless, his name was linked because of his ties to the Buckeyes.

"During the past two weeks, I have called no one nor initiated any inquiries about the basketball coaching position at Ohio State," Knight said. "However, several people in Columbus and in Ohio have called to ask if I would be willing to take the job."

Knight, who won three national championships at Indiana, has led Texas Tech to three straight seasons of at least 20 wins. He is 48 victories shy of Dean Smith's mark as the winningest coach in Division I.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/9012838.htm

Andy Geiger makes solid decision.


VVV

There were so many angles of thought here. The AD had to think of his ass by taking a risk. Knights actions are highly monitored. Great news for TT fans. I seen a poll where 60% plus in Ohio wanted Coach to come home. But we have to play the cards we are dealt.

Good luck VVV