Bob Knight, Controversial Mentor to New York Knicks Coaches, Dead at 83

Bob Knight, Controversial Mentor to New York Knicks Coaches, Dead at 83

Bob Knight, one of the greatest and most controversial coaches in the history of basketball with mentorship ties almost everywhere, including the New York Knicks, has died at 83 years old.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington (Indiana) surrounded by his family,” Knight’s family said in a statement.

“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.”

Knight and Thomas

Knight served as the head coach at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech for a total of more than 40 seasons.

His Indiana teams won three national championships, in 1976, 1981 and 1987. He won gold as the U.S. Olympic coach and created an all-time coaching tree featuring the likes of Mike Woodson, Keith Smart and Isiah Thomas, each of whom has coached the 

Knight’s volatile personality will always be an essential part of telling his Basketball Hall of Fame story … as will his legacy as a mentor to generations of basketball leaders, in New York and beyond.