Knight Says Dave Bliss Is Lobos’ Man : He Stays at Indiana, but His Protege May End Up at New Mexico

Indiana’s state of alert ended Monday. Hoosiers everywhere had their workday interrupted with the news most of them were hoping to hear: Bob Knight will stay to coach another day, another season, even for the rest of his life, perhaps.

Knight ended weeklong speculation that he might bolt for the University of New Mexico, by saying Monday he will remain at Indiana University, where his three national championships and many friends will offset the controversies that swirl around him.

Knight’s announcement leaves an ambitious New Mexico athletic department ready to hire Dave Bliss, a former Knight assistant who has his blessing, away from Southern Methodist.

And it leaves Knight in his comfortable kingdom, apparently to the delight of almost everyone. “We are pleased Bob Knight has decided to remain at Indiana University, and look forward to having him as head coach of the IU men’s basketball team for many years to come,” university president Thomas Ehrlich said in a statement.

Ehrlich, reportedly, was part of the reason Knight seriously discussed taking the job at New Mexico. Ehrlich reprimanded him for taking his team off the floor during an exhibition against the Soviet Union, and for what many people perceived as an insensitive statement about rape during a nationally televised interview with NBC’s Connie Chung.

Knight, in Monday’s statement, said he resented the reports that he has a strained relationship with Ehrlich, even though it is common knowledge that Knight isn’t fond of Ehrlich, who recently succeeded John Ryan, one of Knight’s biggest supporters.

“The thing that aggravates me is that so many remarks have been made and inferences drawn by people who have not either taken the time to look at this situation or have any understanding of my thinking, right on through to where I was supposed to be upset with a president who emphasizes academics,” he said. “I think it’s obvious I would be that kind of president’s biggest supporter. Nothing could please me more.”

Knight informed Ehrlich of his decision Sunday night during a meeting that also was attended by Ralph Floyd, Indiana’s director of athletics. “I assured him of my personal support and the university’s full support in his work to maintain the highest academic and athletic standards for IU’s basketball program.”

Floyd said: “This is where we believe Bob Knight belongs. This is his home. He is Indiana basketball to thousands of IU fans.”

Knight said categorically that he did not talk about any terms of a contract with the people at New Mexico, as was widely reported. “I have in no way, shape or form had discussions with New Mexico about length of contract, terms of contract, salaries or anything else,” Knight said in a television interview.

Meanwhile, officials at the University of New Mexico put on a happy face, saying that the basketball program is in better shape just by Knight considering the job. “We’ve all been touched by his character, integrity and honesty during the negotiation process,” John Koenig, the Lobos’ director of athletics, said.

Knight has already given his blessing to Bliss, who has compiled a 219-163 record in his 13 years coaching at Oklahoma (five years) and SMU (the last eight seasons). Bliss’ Mustangs went 28-7 last season and won the regular season and Southwest Conference tournament titles.