By doing this...is Bob forcing Tech to take his son as coach?I am not a fan of a son automatically taking over for his dad as coach.
I think it was a BIG mistake for OK State to do that with Eddie Sutton's son as BB coach.
I think it was a mistake for Pampa to hire Cavalier's son as FB coach.
I am very glad Bob Schneider's son got sent on his way...when his dad retired as WT womens' coach.
I have a feeling that Knight should have waited until the end of the season...and an evaluation be done for his son...versus the available outside candidates for the job.
lubbockonline.com/stories/020408/loc_243647726.shtmlExclusive: Knight speaks about retirement decision Local News
020408 LOCAL NEWS 1 BY JEFF WALKER
Texas Tech men's basketball coach Bob Knight has informed Texas Tech that he is resigning effective immediately. Knight's son Patrick is the new head coach.Exclusive: Knight speaks about retirement decision
BY JEFF WALKER
Monday, February 04, 2008
Story broke at 5:30 p.m.
Story last updated at 2/4/2008 - 7:18 pm
When Bob Knight arrived in Lubbock, he was greeted by a large, loud crowd at United Spirit Arena.
There will be far less pomp and circumstance for his departure.
Knight, in his seventh season as Texas Tech’s head coach, informed athletic director Gerald Myers on Monday morning he was retiring, effective immediately.
Knight said he has contemplated retirement and thought about doing it after this season. But after talking to good friend and legendary basketball coach Pete Newell on Sunday, Knight believed now was the best time to begin the transition phase of having son, Pat, take over the program.
Pat Knight has been the head coach designate since 2005.
“There’s a transition that’s going to take place here from me to Pat and I’ve dwelt on this all year long — about what would be the best way to do this, and how it would be best for him and for the team and for what we can do in the long run to make this the best thing for Texas Tech,” said Knight, who retires with 902 career victories. “I didn’t know, I’ve never really known when I was going to step down from this job. As I thought about it, my first thought was at the end of this season.”
Knight said he spoke with Newell for about an hour and an half Sunday.
“My thinking was that for Pat and for this team — most of which is returning next year — the best thing for the long run for this team would be for Pat and his staff to coach these remaining 10 games,” Knight said. “And (to) get an understanding, get a real feel for each other, be able to think over the course of the spring and summer going into next season about how people had played, how things had been done offensively or defensively, what could be done or couldn’t be done, what to stay away from, what to work on and develop that from a game standpoint as the coach in charge of everything rather than as an assistant coach.
“It was always a problem for me as to just what would be the most effective way in this transition, to make this transition. And with all the thought that I put into it, that’s exactly how I felt that it should be.”
Knight said he informed the team prior to practice Monday. The Red Raiders (12-8, 3-3) will play at Baylor on Wednesday.
Myers was in a similar situation more than three decades ago when he took over the Red Raiders’ program mid-season. He said he was surprised when Knight told him Monday he was stepping down, but he also understood Knight’s reasoning.
“I think I do understand why he decided to do it at this particular time,” said Myers, who took over as head coach in January, 1971, before coaching 20 more years at Tech. “He felt it was the right time for him to step down and I’ll miss him. He’s done an outstanding job for this basketball program of building it up. He brought more recognition to the program, to the university and to the city of Lubbock than anybody, in my opinion. It was great to have him on our staff and he was great to work with.”
Knight said this is not a health issue, though he said, “I feel better today than I did on Saturday.”
The Red Raiders won Knight’s final game, 67-60, over Oklahoma State, leaving him with 902 career victories. He compiled 138 wins in seven seasons at Tech, compiling a 138-82 record. His .627 winning percentage is the highest in Tech men’s basketball history. Berl Huffman is second at (.609) in three seasons.
