Former Indiana, Texas Tech Head Coach Bob Knight Dies at 83

The hall of famer coached in college basketball for over 40 years, winning three national championships.

Former Indiana, Texas Tech and Army head coach Bob Knight died at the age of 83, his family announced in a statement on Wednesday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family,” the statement said. “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored. We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend.”

Hall of fame college basketball coach Bob Knight died at 83 :: John Rieger/USA Today network

Knight spent 42 years as a college basketball head coach, including three decades at Indiana from 1971 until 2000. He began his career at Army, then finished his career at Texas Tech, winning 902 total games as a coach, which was the most of any coach when he retired. Knight is currently sixth on the all-time wins list.

Knight led the Hoosiers to three national championships in 1976, ’81 and ’87. In 2000, Indiana fired Knight following a series of incidents, including accusations from multiple players that Knight abused them in practice.

Through his basketball career, Knight made five Final Fours, 11 Big Ten titles and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. He is one of six coaches with at least three national championships in their careers.