Knight Says He Won’t Be Seeking Counseling

Indiana basketball Coach Bob Knight appeared to reaffirm his tight grip on the program Tuesday, handpicking seven writers and the cable network that didn’t spill the beans on him as vehicles for his first extensive interviews since he was nearly fired May 15.

In an hour-long chat at Assembly Hall with ESPN co-interviewers Roy Firestone and Digger Phelps, Knight acknowledged his anger problem, but insisted he does not need professional counseling, denied he ever choked Neil Reed or ever issued a racial epithet to a player, said he was “never very close” to resigning and added he almost welcomed the “zero tolerance” policy imposed on him as a condition of keeping his job.

“To me it’s a simple equation,” Knight said. “I have to do all the time, basically, what I do most of the time now.”

In the interview, Knight was contrite, at times humble, at times defensive.

Asked why he did not review the videotape of him putting his right hand on Reed’s neck for 2.3 seconds during a 1997 Indiana practice, Knight offered: “I didn’t need to look at the tape to know I hadn’t choked anybody, because I’ve never choked anybody.”

The Reed allegation, reported by CNN/Sports Illustrated in March, ignited the firestorm that led to Indiana launching an in-house investigation of the 59-year-old Knight, the Hoosier coach since 1971.

Indiana’s board of trustees uncovered what they termed a disturbing pattern of behavior. As conditions of keeping his job, Knight agreed to a three-game suspension, $30,000 fine, and the “zero tolerance” behavior policy.

But even Knight acknowledged the ambiguity of the conditions.

Asked by Firestone if grabbing a player would lead to his dismissal, Knight retorted, “What do you mean by ‘grab a player?’ ”

Knight did not offer a direct apology to Reed, saying the blanket apology he released May 13 would suffice.

Knight dictated the time and conditions of Tuesday’s interview after declining to appear at the May 15 press conference in Indianapolis.

“I didn’t think it was important for me to be there,” Knight said.

Was Knight ducking?

“Ducking has never been one of my characteristics,” he said.

Knight used the hour to defend himself and his record.

“I think what we’ve done in basketball here over 29 years has basically been a very good thing.”

Knight has won 763 games in his career, and is 116 victories shy of Dean Smith’s collegiate record for coaching victories.