Knights Gets Ready to Start Anew in Texas
L U B B O C K, Texas, March 23 -- Bob Knight is back in college basketball,ending a six-month exile to coach a Texas Tech team that hopes hecan build a winner and control his temper.
After missing his first college season since 1963-64, Knightsigned a five-year, $1.25 million deal with Tech. With otherincentives, the salary comes to about $400,000 annually, athleticdirector Gerald Myers said.
Knight's temper led to his firing from Indiana in September. Hehad coached the Hoosiers to three national titles in 29 years.
Seeking National Credibility
Myers said the hiring would give the Red Raiders instantnational credibility.
"I think this is the beginning of something special," Myerssaid. "We've got the opportunity to make this program competitiveat the highest level of college basketball."
Knight, 60, was the only serious candidate to replace JamesDickey, even though about 100 of the university's 900 facultymembers signed a petition advising against the move.
The school was scheduled to introduce Knight to the fans at anews conference on the court of the United Spirit Arena latertoday.
Infamous Flare-Ups
Indiana fired Knight for breaking a no-tolerance policy imposedafter a series of behavior problems. His list of outbursts isalmost as long as his list of coaching accomplishments.
Knight's most infamous flare-up in a game was tossing a chairacross a court. Years earlier, he was convicted for hitting aPuerto Rican policeman before a practice at the Pan American Games.
Others include kicking his son's leg during a game and allegedlychoking a player in a practice. The final straw was when he grabbedthe arm of a student who referred to the coach by his last name.
"The General" did not seriously consider any coaching jobsuntil this one. Tech officials first met with him early this monthin Florida, four days before Dickey was fired.
With Myers pushing for the hiring of his longtime friend, thebiggest hurdle was a school rule that prevented it from beingcompleted until 10 business days after Dickey was dismissed.
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