Lubbock, Texas – Bob Knight won 880 games doing things his way. And he sure celebrated it his way.
Long appreciated for his strategy and long questioned for his methods, Knight added the crowning achievement to his coaching career by becoming the leader in Division I men’s basketball victories when Texas Tech beat New Mexico 70-68 on Monday.
Having finally reached the pinnacle he long has insisted didn’t matter, Knight proved otherwise by soaking in every moment of the party that followed – especially the soundtrack.
“I’ve always thought that if there’s ever an occasion for a song to be played on my behalf, I wanted it to be Frank Sinatra singing ‘My Way,”‘ said Knight, whose usually glaring facade showed hints of cracking during the outpouring of emotions.
Knight has been a college coach for 41 of his 66 years, having broken in at Army and made his mark by winning three national titles in 29 years at Indiana. Fired by Indiana after administrators could no longer tolerate his behavior, he resurfaced at Texas Tech in 2001 and has guided the Red Raiders of the Big 12 Conference to unprecedented heights.
He’s a complex package, someone who can hit a policeman, throw a chair across the court or be accused of wrapping his hands around a player’s neck, yet never gets in trouble for breaking NCAA rules, always has a high graduation rate and gave his salary back a few years ago because he didn’t think he had earned it.
Knight explained why “My Way” was so fitting.
“I’ve simply tried to do what I think is best,” Knight said. “Regrets? Sure. Just like the song. I have regrets. I wish I could done things better at times. I wish I would have had a better answer, a better way, at times. But just like he said, I did it my way and when I look back on it, I don’t think my way was all that bad.”
The celebration began with as much relief over the win as the fact Knight got the record on his second try. The game wasn’t decided until a long 3-pointer by New Mexico’s J.R. Giddens bounced off the rim at the buzzer.
Red and black confetti fell and the song played. There were speeches by Knight and administrators, plus videotaped tributes from Dean Smith, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Texas’ Rick Barnes, and statements from several NBA coaches who played for Knight. He also received two trophies and the game ball; a banner was unfurled marking this achievement.
“You are the best there’s ever been,” said Krzyzewski, who played for Knight at Army and served as his assistant. “I’m so glad you’ve been my mentor, you’ve been my coach and you’ve been my friend.”
Knight’s career record is 880-354. He recently agreed to a contract extension through the 2010-11 season, which doesn’t bode well for anyone hoping to break his record.
Krzyzewski has 765 wins and is 59; he will be 64 in 2011 and might still be 100 wins behind.
Knight admits the record is a byproduct of longevity.
The ultimate standard of college basketball coaching excellence is the 10 national titles won by UCLA’s John Wooden, all in a 12-year span.
Betsy Blaney of The Associated Press contributed to this report.
