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Social Media Reacts to Death of Legendary Indiana Basketball Coach Bob Knight

Indiana's three-time national champion head coach Bob Knight passed away Wednesday night. Several fellow coaches, former players and many others shared their thoughts on Knight's legacy on social media.

Jack Ankony

Social Media Reacts to Death of Legendary Indiana Basketball Coach Bob Knight
Social Media Reacts to Death of Legendary Indiana Basketball Coach Bob Knight /
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Bob Knight, legendary Indiana men's basketball coach, passed away Wednesday at 83 years old, his family announced.

Knight won three national championships with the Hoosiers, in 1976, 1981 and 1987, along with two additional Final Four appearances in 1973 and 1992. A Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Knight ranks sixth in all-time wins among men's college basketball coaches with 902. He's a pillar of the sport. 

Several fellow coaches, former players and many others shared their thoughts on  Knight's legacy on social media Wednesday night.

“As we collectively mourn the passing of Coach Knight, we also celebrate a man who will always be an integral part of Indiana University’s rich and vibrant story," Pamela Whitten, Indiana University President said. With unmatched accomplishment, Coach Knight’s brilliance ensures he will forever rest among the giants of college basketball.”

“This is a terribly sad day for the IU Basketball family, Indiana University, the state of Indiana, and the world of sports as we say goodbye to Coach Knight," Quinn Buckner, IU Board of Trustees Chair and former IU All-American and NCAA champion said. "One of the things that he said to our 1976 team, which I was fortunate enough to be a part of, was that you may never see another team like this again. Well, I don’t know that we will ever see another coach like him again. I think it’s important for people to realize that. It was a special opportunity to have been coached by him, and an equally special opportunity to have him as a friend. Because as great a coach as he was, he was an infinitely better friend. He’s a big part of who we are, and we were very fortunate to have had him in our lives.”

“This is a tremendous loss to not only our IU Basketball Family, but the sport," Scott Dolson, IU Vice President and Director of Athletics said. "His impact on the game is obvious when looking at his three NCAA and 11 Big Ten Championships and the 902 games that he won throughout a legendary 42-year head coaching career. As great as that record of success is, his impact is even more profound when looking at the enormous successes that his former players, coaches, and managers have enjoyed – both in the sport and outside of it - following their time working alongside Coach Knight and learning from him. His influence will continue to be felt through them for generations to come. I want to extend my deepest condolences to Karen, Tim, Pat, and the entire Knight family. The world of basketball lost a great one today. There won’t be another one like him.”

“It is a profoundly sad day for all of us who loved Coach Knight," Indiana coach Mike Woodson said. "My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Karen, his family, and to all those who loved him. “I am so blessed that he saw something in me as a basketball player. He influenced my life in ways I could never repay. As he did with all of his players, he always challenged me to get the most out of myself as a player and more importantly, as a person. “His record as a basketball coach speaks for itself. He will be remembered as one of the greatest ever and his impact on the game of basketball is etched in stone. His teams were always prepared and with him on the sideline, you always believed that he put you in the best position to win. “I will always cherish the time we spent together after I played for him. His fierce loyalty to his former players never wavered. I am grateful that he was able to come to our practices after I came back. His presence meant so much to me, our staff, and our players.” 

Related stories on Indiana basketball

  • BOB KNIGHT DIES AT 83: Bob Knight, the Hall of Fame basketball coach who won three national titles at Indiana and coached through several controversial moments, passed away on Wednesday. In poor health the past few years, the beloved coach was 83 years old. CLICK HERE
  • PHOTO GALLERY: Hall of Fame coach and beloved Indiana University basketball icon Bob Knight passed away on Wednesday. He was 83 years old. Knight had been in declining health recently. Here are the best pictures of Knight's legacy through 29 years at Indiana that included three national championships. CLICK HERE
  • BIG TEN NETWORK MARATHON: In honor of legendary Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight, who passed away Wednesday, the Big Ten Network is debuting "Remembering Bob Knight" and running a 15-hour marathon, packed with footage of Knight and the Hoosiers. CLICK HERE
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Jack Ankony
JACK ANKONY

Jack Ankony is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation writer for HoosiersNow.com. He graduated from Indiana University's Media School with a degree in journalism. Follow on Twitter @ankony_jack.

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