Like Father, Like Son at Indiana

Indiana’s newest assistant coach is no stranger to the Hoosiers’ program. In fact, no one knows Coach Bob Knight better than his son, Pat.

“I think we’ve got a great relationship,” the 28-year-old Knight said. “We became really close when I played here, all the ups and downs we had, and it’s nice to be able to see him every day at work. I think it’s been good for both of us.”

Pat Knight played four years at Indiana for his father. After leaving Indiana in 1995, he was an administrative assistant and scout with the NBA Phoenix Suns, an assistant coach with the CBA Connecticut Pride and last year he was head coach of the Wisconsin Blast and Columbus Cagerz of the International Basketball Assn.

Bob Knight first talked about the possibility of his son returning to Indiana as an assistant last year.

“I just didn’t want to because I had a head coaching job in the minor league offered to me,” Pat Knight said, “and I thought it was good for me to get that experience.

“Plus, there were a couple players left who I played with. When it opened up this summer . . . then I thought it’s a good opportunity so I jumped at it.”

Pat Knight works mainly in recruiting, but he also does some coaching as well.

Like his dad, Pat Knight “is always on you,” said forward Lynn Washington, a junior college transfer. “But they have two different styles. Pat Knight, since he’s younger, can relate to the younger players on the team more. So he’s doing a good job.”

“To me, I don’t consider this a job. I have a great time,” Pat Knight said.