Report: Texas Tech Wants Bobby Knight

L U B B O C K, Texas, March 8, 2001 -- Texas Tech coach James Dickey says he willcontinue focusing on his team, its players and winning gamesdespite reports that school administrators have talked with formerIndiana coach Bobby Knight about his job.

"My focus is on having our team prepared as well as we possiblycan and making sure these players are given every opportunity tohave every chance they can to succeed," Dickey told The AssociatedPress early today from his hotel room in Kansas City.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported in today's editionsthat Texas Tech administrators have approached Knight about takingover.

A former college coach, who is close to Knight but asked not tobe identified, told the newspaper that Tech president DavidSchmidly and athletic director Gerald Myers traveled to Naples,Fla., earlier this week to discuss with Knight the possibility ofreplacing Dickey.

"I've heard the same reports but I have not had any informationat all from our administration," Dickey said.

Mum’s The World At Tech

Dickey's team is in Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament, whichstarts today and lasts through Sunday. Tech first faces OklahomaState at 2:20 p.m.

Tech sports information director Chris Cook said Myers would notdiscuss the report.

"Gerald will not comment," Cook said.

Myers also declined comment to the newspaper, saying he wouldnot make any statements until after he has a chance to talk withDickey following the Red Raiders' final game of the tournament.

Knight was fired from Indiana last fall after violating ano-tolerance policy. He violated the policy when he grabbed an IUstudent by the arm.

Knight indicated at the time he wanted to coach again.

Dickey Was Hand-Picked

Tech spokeswoman Cindy Rugeley said Chancellor John Montfordspent Wednesday in Washington, D.C., and President David Schmidlywas en route to Kansas City.

"All I know is we still have a coach," she said. "I cannotimagine them doing anything while our team is still playing."

But Rugeley admitted she would not necessarily know. "I don'tdo sports," she said. "I don't know and I wouldn't to be veryhonest. I do know that Coach Myers and Bobby Knight are friends."

Myers, who coached the Red Raiders from 1971-1991, is said tohave hand-picked Dickey as his successor.

Dickey said he first learned of the report from reporters andfriends in Lubbock who saw the story on television.

"We have had a lot of our friends call us from Lubbock," saidDickey, who is in Kansas City with his wife and children. "Theyjust wondered if we knew anything and the answer is: 'No, wedon't."'

Disappointing Season

Last week, Tech administrators said they would conduct anevaluation of Dickey and his team's performance. The Red Raidershave dropped 11 of the team's past 12 games and have struggled forfour straight seasons.

"I don't think anybody's satisfied with the season," Myerssaid at the time. "Not the coach, the fans, anybody."

Dickey, who has three years remaining on his contract, has beenat Tech for 10 years.

He said he has met with both Myers and Schmidly. He said neithergave him an indication of what his future with the school mighthold. Dickey wouldn't elaborate.

Since coming to Tech, Dickey has compiled a 166-123 record. TheRed Raiders finished 9-18 overall and 3-13 in the Big 12.

Dickey said last week he won't leave unless asked. According tohis contract, neither win-loss records nor attendance records canbe considered "good cause for termination" without compensation.

"I'm not going to fire myself," he said. "I'm not going toquit."