Knight Reportedly Set for New Mexico Job

Basketball Coach Bob Knight of the University of Indiana returned home Wednesday, apparently to tell his team and school officials that he has accepted the coaching job at New Mexico, according to a published report.

The Dallas Times-Herald, quoting unidentified “sources close to Knight and the Lobos’ program,” reported in its Thursday editions that Knight reached an oral agreement on a five-year, $350,000-a-year contract with New Mexico. The deal also calls for a $150,000 house.

“It’s a done deal; Knight’s coming,” the newspaper quoted its source in Albuquerque, N.M., as saying. “All he has to do is sign the contract.”

The newspaper said that two sources close to Knight said the 47-year-old coach told them earlier this week that he would leave Indiana for New Mexico, where Gary Colson resigned under pressure on April 26. Another source close to Knight, the newspaper added, said Knight has been considering leaving Indiana for several weeks.

Knight said in Bloomington, Ind.: “I’m very, very partial to that part of the country (the West) to begin with, yet I’ve really enjoyed living here, and the people here have been very good. But there have been changes here that affect things and affect thinking, and people are always, I think, the key to success.

“The people at New Mexico are awfully nice people. I think it’s one of the really outstanding coaching situations that there is, particularly for a person that would enjoy the Western part of the country. And I have conveyed my thoughts to the people in Albuquerque in that regard as we have discussed various things.”

Knight met with his players Wednesday afternoon, but none of the players contacted would comment on what Knight told them.

Knight met briefly with Indiana Athletic Director Ralph Floyd. After their meeting, Floyd said he hoped to know the coach’s decision by Friday.

He said that if Knight leaves Indiana it would not be because of pressure from any individual or group. “Everyone at Indiana University wants Bob to stay here,” Floyd said. “He’s got to decide for himself.”

Knight said he has not ruled out retirement. Knight, who has coached the Hoosiers since 1972, said in the past he wanted to spend the rest of his career at Indiana. But two recent controversies have brought reprimands from the university’s new president, Thomas Ehrlich, who replaced John Ryan last year.

Knight, who has led Indiana to three national titles, drew his first rebuke for pulling his team off the floor last November during an exhibition game against the Soviet national team.

Recently, Knight was reprimanded for an analogy regarding stress on a nationally televised show. He said, “If rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy.” Knight later explained he was speaking only symbolically about rape and said he asked the quote not be used for fear it would be misinterpreted.

New Mexico’s athletic director, John Koenig, said he was negotiating with two finalists for the job but would not say if Knight is one of them. Koenig said he hopes to make his selection by late today or Friday.

Knight, who has nine years left on his Indiana contract, reportedly earns a base salary of $95,400. The Albuquerque Tribune said additional benefits and income boost the overall salary close to $500,000 a year.