‘He influenced my life in ways I could never repay’ | Reaction to the passing of legendary IU basketball coach Bob Knight

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Members of the Indiana University basketball community and others from across the sports world are reacting to the death of Bob Knight.

Quinn Buckner, who was a senior on IU’s 1976 national championship team and also earned All-American honors for the Hoosiers, said Wednesday “is a terribly sad day for the IU Basketball family.”

“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,” Buckner said. “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.”

IU men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson played for Knight from 1976-1980, earning All-American honors as a senior.

“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,” Woodson said in a statement released by IU.

Calbert Cheaney, who still holds the men’s basketball scoring record in the Big Ten, recalled a gesture Knight made when he set the mark.

“When I was blessed enough to get the scoring record, against Northwestern back in ‘93, the coach, he always was about team, so the fact that he ended up stopping the game, which was surprising to me, he ended up stopping the game. I can’t remember how much time was up on the clock in the second half when I got the record, and he presented me with the ball and everything. I learned later that he was the one responsible for that,” Cheaney told WFIE-TV in Evansville. “That’s why we don’t have names on the back of our jerseys, because the theme, it’s all about Indiana on the front and no names on the back. It’s all about team, and when he did that, it was a special moment.”

Tom Crean, who coached the Hoosiers from 2008-2017, paid tribute to Knight on social media. 

“It was truly an honor to coach where Bob Knight did and to work at such an iconic program as Indiana Basketball. It was a great day when we could see that he finally returned. Our deepest condolences and sympathies to his Family, staffs, players, managers and countless fans,” he wrote.

Isiah Thomas, who was on Knight’s second national championship team at IU, posted a photo with the coach on Instagram with the post “Coach Knight Rest in Peace.” 

“Lots of teammate tears flowing tonight for our coach,” Thomas said.

Current IU women’s basketball coach Teri Moren spoke with 13 Sports director Dave Calabro about Knight after the Hoosiers’ exhibition game against Northwood Wednesday night.

“We’ve lost a legend. We’ve lost the ‘GOAT,'” Moren said. “My earliest memories of him are growing up in southern Indiana, that’s all I knew, you know, was Indiana basketball and Coach Bobby Knight.”

Dan Dakich, who played for Knight from 1981-1985, then worked as an assistant coach from 1985-1997, posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, Wednesday evening.

“I loved playing for Coach Knight. I did. I thought he was always fair. And I’ll argue with anybody … anybody, anytime, anywhere, when I say he’s the best basketball coach to ever walk the sideline,” Dakich said.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb wrote, “There will never be another Coach Knight and the banners that hang in Assembly Hall will forever remind us of his time, impact and dominance.”

At Purdue Wednesday night, the Hoosiers’ archrival held a moment of silence in memory of Knight before the Boilermakers’ men’s basketball exhibition game against Grace College.

Thursday morning, the Purdue Men’s Basketball account on X wrote, “Our thoughts and prayers go to the @IndianaMBB and Knight families at the passing of legendary head coach Bob Knight. College basketball was impacted greatly by Coach Knight and he will be missed.”

Gene Keady’s statement reads in part, “Bob was one of those guys that had everyone’s respect as a coach, but he was a great friend to me. He was special in my career because although we had many battles, we always respected each other and the game.”

“Coach Knight was truly one of a kind, with a passion for the sport and a personality that was larger than life on and off the court. In the state where basketball is life, he came to personify the game for countless Hoosiers and millions of others across the world. He will be missed terribly, and we at Pacers Sports & Entertainment keep him and his family in our prayers,” the Pacers wrote Wednesday night.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay also paid tribute on X, posting, “Rest in peace, the legendary Bobby Knight.”

The Alzheimer’s Association released the following statement:

The Alzheimer’s Association is saddened by the death of legendary Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight and offers our deepest condolences to his family. Per the family’s request, a memorial donation page has been established with the Alzheimer’s Association where people are encouraged to share their most cherished memories. Contributions will support the Alzheimer’s Association’s work to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.alz.org/bobknight.

“We wanted everything done a certain way and I knew when we played Indiana you better be prepared to execute and rebound and get back on defense.” — former Purdue coach Gene Keady about Knight, his rival and friend.

“He’s the best coach there is … If I had to lose, I would only want to lose to him.” — former Indiana standout Steve Alford, who played for Knight and later coached at Iowa, after a 2003 Hawkeyes loss to Knight’s Texas Tech team.

“We lost one of the greatest coaches in the history of basketball today. Clearly, he was one of a kind, Coach Knight recruited me, mentored me, and had a profound impact on my career and in my life. This is a tremendous loss for our sport and our family is deeply saddened by his passing.” — Mike Krzyzewski, the former Duke coach who played for Knight at Army.

“I think Coach Knight may have influenced the game more defensively than offensively, the way he stressed our pressure defense and then I guess how it would change the game. It (the motion offense) is not as predictable because you’re reading opportunities.” — Tom Abernethy, a starter on Knight’s 1975-76 undefeated national championship team.

“Coach Knight … will forever be remembered as one of the top coaches in not only Texas Tech history but all of college basketball. He truly changed the game with not only his motion offense but his insistence that his teams be defined by their defense. His impact was felt off the court, too, as he was a profound supporter of student-athletes receiving a quality education, which was evident by his teams annually producing a near-perfect graduation rate. Coach Knight’s impact on our basketball program will forever be cherished as one of the greatest tenures in our history. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Knight family during this difficult time.” — Texas Tech in a statement.

“George (McGinnis) and I, I remember we were watching TV and West Point was playing and Coach Knight was animated and doing what he does and I told George, ‘Wherever we go, we don’t want to play for anybody like that.’” — Steve Downing, who played on Knight’s first two teams at Indiana and became a lifelong friend. McGinnis, a teammate for a state title-winning team at Washington High in Indianapolis, never played for Knight.

“Coach (Dean) Smith was certainly my mentor, but the next guy for me was Bob Knight. I played golf with him, watched baseball with him, watched his practices my first year as a head coach, but more importantly I appreciated the help he gave me in my coaching career. He acted like I was one of his guys and made me so much better. He was one of my heroes and I will be forever grateful to him.” — former North Carolina and Kansas coach Roy Williams.

“He was a guy I idolized when I got here (in 1983) because Bobby Knight was the man. He and (former Michigan State coach) Jud Heathcote had a great relationship. He treated me great, and he helped me. I wish people knew what a great heart that he had. He was a different dude, but if you needed some help, he would answer the bell. I feel for him and his family. The game has lost an icon.” – Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

“We had respect for each other. He was obviously one of the greatest coaches of all time and a dominate man in our sport. He was tough on his players, some would call it tough love I didn’t play for Bob, I watched him coached. I was amazed by an incredible tactician. My memories of Bob was he was a great coach, really cared about people, was a guy who you may have heard other things about, but his players did love him.” — former Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun.

“Bob Knight’s impact on college basketball has been felt for more than six decades, beginning with being a member of the 1960 national championship team at Ohio State and continuing as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport. That included more than 100 wins at Army and Texas Tech, sandwiched around more than 600 wins and three national championships at Indiana. Coach Knight will be remembered as a leader whose players had unyielding loyalty to him long after their playing careers concluded. The NCAA sends its condolences to those players, as well as the family and friends of one of the game’s legendary coaches.” — Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball.