Bobby Knight in Hot Water Again

Sept. 8 -- Indiana University Hoosiers basketball coach Bob Knight denied allegations today that he grabbed a freshman student by the arm and cursed him out Thursday at Assembly Hall.

Knight said the accusations were “absolutely, totally untrue,” and that he had simply given the student a short lecture on manners. He said he’d “have to be a moron” to have grabbed a player in public, given the university’s stated “zero-tolerance” policy toward his well-publicized temper.

“This was simply a matter of manners and civility,” he said.“I don’t think my voice ever rose above a conversational tone.”

Profanity, Violence Denied

Mark Shaw, the student’s stepfather, says Knight grabbed the 19-year-old after he had addressed him by saying, “What’s up, Knight?” Shaw told the Indianapolis Star newspaper, “There were still finger marks visible on his arm.”

While Knight admitted he was upset, he maintains he did not curse at the student during the confrontation. The incident occurred as Knight crossed paths with the student and four others in a university building.

“I said ‘Son, my name is not Knight to you. It’s Coach Knight. I don’t call people by their last name, and neither should you,’” Knight said at a news conference this afternoon.

An assistant coach who saw the confrontation said there was noviolence and no profanity when Knight confronted the teen.

“He never said a curse word, he never raised his voice,”assistant coach Mike Davis said.

Indiana University announced earlier this year that it wouldhave a zero-tolerance policy with Knight.

But Knight said it was an “interesting coincidence” that thestudent was a stepson “of a guy who over the years has probably beenthe most vitriolic critic I’ve had.”

Shaw is a former radio talk-show host andlongtime Knight critic.