Knight Cap

L.A. Times Archives

Sept. 11, 2000 12 AM PT

Overall coaching record: 763-290 (fifth all-time on Division I career wins list)

Indiana coaching record: 661-240. Indiana postseason record: 53-23

2000

* He is accused of grabbing a freshman student at Indiana by the arm and cursing at him Sept. 7. University officials ask for a police investigation of the matter. According to the student’s stepfather, Mark Shaw, the student and four others were waiting to pick up football tickets when the student saw Knight and yelled, “Hey, what’s up Knight?” Shaw said Knight grabbed his stepson by the right arm, whirled him around and began cursing him out for disrespecting him by addressing the coach by his last name.

* Indiana President Myles Brand announces a zero-tolerance policy regarding Knight on May 15, concluding a seven-week investigation into the coach’s behavior. The policy contains a code of conduct he must follow to keep his job. He is also suspended for three games, must pay a $30,000 fine and apologize to those he has offended in the past.

* John Walda, president of Indiana University’s board of trustees, and Frederick Eichhorn, a trustee and former president of the Indiana State Bar Association, are appointed to investigate former player Neil Reed’s accusations of Knight choking him during a 1997 practice. At a news conference, Walda said, “I want to emphasize one thing: There are no sacred cows at Indiana University. That includes the basketball program.” The trustees’ investigation reportedly unveils new allegations involving Knight--that he physically intimidated the 64-year-old secretary of Athletics Director Clarence Doninger, attacked assistant coach Ron Felling, and choked and punched IU’s longtime sports information director, Kit Klingelhoffer, in the 1970s over a news release that upset the coach. On the eve of the trustees’ meeting with the university president, Knight issues a 10-paragraph statement in which he recognizes his legendary temper and admits to needing a more diplomatic approach: ‘There are times when my passion for basketball led me into confrontations that I could have handled a lot better. I’ve always been too confrontational, especially when I know I’m right.’

* On the eve of the NCAA tournament, CNN/SI releases a report in which Reed and another former player, Richard Mandeville, accuse the coach of choking Reed during a practice in 1997. Other accusations include Knight’s use of soiled toilet paper as a motivational device during halftime of one game, and of throwing Brand out of practice. A videotape is later released showing Knight choking Reed for 2.3 seconds. Former assistant Felling is accused of leaking the footage.

* Excerpts from “Born to Believe,” a book written by former player Butch Carter, include claims that Knight used a racial slur during a tirade aimed at a black player. Carter also describes Knight as a “bully” and a “self-serving coward.”

* Former player Ricky Calloway accuses him of physical abuse in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

* Former Hoosier Steve Alford’s return to Indiana as Iowa’s head coach is the subject of intense media scrutiny. Knight defuses the situation by shaking Alford’s hand before game, then blows up during the postgame news conference: “If Alford wants to sit down and talk with me, instead of holding press conferences . . . I’ll explain things to him,” he said. He continues the postgame tirade in the media workroom.

* The Indianapolis Star reports of a heated shouting match between Knight and Doninger after Indiana loses to Ohio State on Feb. 19.

* Indiana record: 20-9, 10-6 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded sixth in East Region. Lost to No. 11 Pepperdine, 77-57, in first round of NCAA tournament, the worst first-round loss in Knight’s tenure at Indiana.

1999

* He is accosted by a diner in a restaurant after the coach supposedly made an offensive comment. The diner says Knight put him in a chokehold, but the Monroe County Prosecutor decided not to file charges because Knight may have been provoked.

* He accidentally shoots hunting partner in the back and is cited for failing to report the incident and hunting without a license in Wisconsin.

* Luke Recker transfers to Arizona after the 1998-99 season, but in off-season is involved in a car accident in which girlfriend Kelly Craig is partially paralyzed. Recker transfers again, this time to Iowa to be closer to Craig while she recovers, and his family. Knight offers little or no sympathy for Recker or Craig’s situation--his assistant leaves messages with Craig with get-well wishes from coach Knight.

* Longtime assistant Felling leaves the program to pursue other interests, according to an Indiana news release. Felling, who had been with the program since 1985, was not available for comment at the time of his resignation. Indiana officials later confirm that the resignation was a firing, coming five days after Knight allegedly threw Felling out of a chair because the assistant was criticizing the program to a former IU player over the phone.

* Indiana record: 23-11, 9-7 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded sixth in South Region. Lost to No. 3 St. John’s, 86-61, in second round of NCAA tournament, his worst tournament loss.

1998

* In an ESPN interview with Digger Phelps, he accuses referees of being the most likely to be involved in gambling on games: “The most susceptible guy in any gambling scheme is an official, without any question. I mean, if we only knew the truth about games that were controlled by officials having gambling interests, I think it would be amazing.”

* He is ejected after receiving three technicals on Senior Night vs. Illinois (two are required for ejection). He was fined $10,000 by the Big Ten for berating referee Ted Valentine, whose officiating Knight called “the greatest travesty” he had seen in his coaching career.

* Indiana record: 20-12, 9-7 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded seventh in East Region. Lost to No. 2 Connecticut, 78-68, in second round of NCAA tournament.

1997

* Jason Collier transfers to Georgia Tech at the midseason semester break, saying he no longer enjoys basketball and is tired of the verbal abuse from Knight.

* Neil Reed is voted off the team. He transfers to Southern Mississippi.

* He earned victory No. 700 on March 5, 1997, with a 70-66 victory over Wisconsin.

* Indiana record: 22-11, 9-9 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded eighth in East Region. Lost to No. 9 Colorado, 80-62, in first round of NCAA tournament. Knight walks 2.5 miles back to the team hotel at 1 a.m. in the rain.

1996

* Indiana record: 19-12, 12-6 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded sixth in Southeast Region. Lost to No. 11 Boston College, 64-51, in first round of NCAA tournament.

1995

* He is reprimanded and IU fined $30,000 by the NCAA for an outburst at a postgame news conference at the NCAA tournament. In front of the assembled media, Knight lashed out at a media liaison who erroneously said the coach would not be attending the press conference.

* Indiana record: 19-12, 11-7 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded ninth in West Region. Lost to No. 8 Missouri, 65-60, in first round of NCAA tournament.

1994

* He head-butts Sherron Wilkerson while screaming at him on the bench. Knight says it was unintentional.

* Indiana record: 21-9, 12-6

* Postseason: Seeded fifth in East Region. Lost to No. 9 Boston College, 77-68, in Sweet 16.

1993

* He kicks at his son Patrick during a game vs. Notre Dame. It is unclear whether he kicked Pat or the chair he was sitting in. He draws a one-game suspension.

* His 600th win, 75-67 over Iowa, on Jan. 6 came at the age of 52. He is the youngest coach to win 600 games.

* He wins his 11th Big Ten regular-season title, tied for first among Big Ten coaches.

* Indiana record: 31-4, 17-1 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Seeded first in Midwest. Lost to No. 2 Kansas, 83-77, in regional final.

1992

* He gives a mock whipping to Calbert Cheaney during practice at the NCAA West Regional in Albuquerque. Knight apologizes to anyone who attributed racial connotations to the incident.

* He bars a female Associated Press reporter from the locker room, saying it is inappropriate for her to be in there and also against university policy. All reporters were subsequently barred from the locker room.

* He cancels the annual team banquet after a loss to arch-rival Purdue costs Indiana a share of the Big Ten championship.

* Indiana record: 27-7, 14-4 Big Ten.

* Postseason: Seeded second in West Region. Lost to Duke, 81-78, in national semifinals.

1991

* He is inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame. Previously, he had asked not to be renominated to the Hall of Fame, calling the voters’ rejection of him in 1987 a “slap in the face.”

* Indiana record: 29-5, 15-3 Big Ten (conference co-champions)

* Postseason: Seeded second in Southeast. Lost to No. 3 Kansas, 83-65, in Sweet 16.

1990

* Indiana record: 18-11, 8-10 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded eighth in East Region. Lost to No. 9 California, 65-63, in first round of NCAA tournament.

1989

* He earns 500th win, 92-76 over Northwestern in January.

* He becomes the winningest coach in Big Ten history. He entered the season with 212 conference wins.

* He is named national coach of the year by AP, UPI, USBW

* Indiana record: 27-8, 15-3 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Seeded second in West Region. Lost to No. 3 Seton Hall, 78-65, in Sweet 16.

1988

* In a television interview with Connie Chung, Knight said, “If rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it.” Knight claims the quote was taken out of context.

* Indiana record: 19-10, 11-7 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded fourth in East Region. Lost to No. 13 Richmond, 72-69, in first round of NCAA tournament.

1987

* He pulls his team off the floor during the second half of a game vs. the Soviet National Team because he doesn’t like the officiating. The Soviets were leading, and the game was forfeited.

* Reprimanded by IU and fined $10,000 by the NCAA after he banged his fist into the scorer’s table during an NCAA tournament game vs. LSU. LSU coach Dale Brown is so incensed by Knight’s action that he challenges the Indiana coach to a naked wrestling match.

* Named Naismith national coach of the year.

* Indiana record: 30-4, 15-3 Big Ten (conference co-champions)

* Postseason: Seeded first in Midwest Region. Defeated Syracuse, 74-73, to win NCAA title, the third of Knight’s coaching career.

1986

* In a decision he will live to regret, he allows Washington Post reporter John Feinstein unprecedented access to the Hoosiers’ program during the 1985-86 season for a book he is writing. While also praising Knight as a brilliant coach, strategist and motivator, “A Season on the Brink” also shows Knight as a bullying, profane, maniacal character. Knight refuses to comment on the book and vows never to speak to Feinstein again (he later breaks that vow).

* Received a technical foul for shouting at the officials during a game against Illinois, then kicked a megaphone and chewed out the Indiana cheerleaders for disrupting a free-throw attempt by Steve Alford.

* Indiana record: 21-8, 13-5 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded third in East. Lost to No. 14 Cleveland State, 83-79, in first round of NCAA tournament.

1985

* He tosses a chair across the court during a game vs. Purdue, nearly hitting people in the wheelchair section. Knight is ejected and suspended for one game by Big Ten Commissioner Wayne Duke. Knight issues a statement apologizing for the incident.

* He notches 400th win, an 81-68 victory over Kentucky in December of 1984.

* Indiana record: 19-14, 7-11 Big Ten

* Postseason: Lost to UCLA, 65-62, in NIT semifinals.

1984

* He coaches U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal.

* Indiana record: 22-9, 13-5 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded fourth in East Region (received first-round bye). Lost to No. 7 Virginia, 50-48, in NCAA regional final.

1983

* He stands at midcourt and swears at Big Ten Commissioner Wayne Duke over what Knight calls “the worst officiating I have seen in 12 years.”

* Indiana record: 24-6, 13-5 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Seeded second in Mideast Region (received first-round bye). Lost to No. 3 Kentucky, 64-59, in Sweet 16 of NCAA tournament.

1982

* Indiana record: 19-10, 12-6 Big Ten

* Postseason: Seeded fifth in Mideast Region. Lost to No. 4 UAB, 80-70, in second round of NCAA tournament.

1981

* Knight and an LSU fan get into an altercation in Philadelphia during the Final Four. He shoves the fan into a garbage can.

* He uses his weekly television program to show films of a “sucker punch” incident between Isiah Thomas and Purdue’s Roosevelt Barnes, which he said proved Thomas’ innocence. Critical of “Purdue mentality,” he aggravated Boilermaker fans and officials by bringing a donkey wearing a Purdue cap onto the show.

* He is named Big Ten coach of the year.

* Indiana record: 26-9, 14-4 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Seeded third in Mideast Region (received first-round bye). Defeated North Carolina, 63-50, for NCAA title, Knight’s second.

1980

* He fires a blank shot from a starter’s pistol at Louisville Courier-Journal reporter Russ Brown. Knight said he did it “to keep from going nuts.”

* He earns 300th win, an 83-69 victory over Northwestern.

* He is named Big Ten coach of the year.

* Indiana record: 21-8, 13-5 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Seeded second in Mideast Region. Lost to No. 6 Purdue, 76-69, in Sweet 16 of NCAA tournament.

1979

* He guides United States to Pan American Games gold medal.

* He is charged, tried and convicted in absentia for hitting a Puerto Rican policeman before a practice session at Pan American Games. He is sentenced to six months in jail, but Puerto Rico government decided in 1987 to drop efforts to extradite him.

* Indiana record: 22-12, 10-8 Big Ten

* Postseason: Defeated Purdue, 53-52, for NIT title.

1978

* Indiana record: 21-8, 12-6 Big Ten

* Postseason: Lost to Villanova, 61-60, in Sweet 16 of NCAA tournament (teams not seeded).

1977

* Indiana record: 16-11, 11-7

* Postseason: None.

1976

* He records his 200th coaching victory, a 93-56 win over Georgia.

* Upset over two turnovers, he grabs sophomore Jim Wisman by the jersey and jerks him into his seat. Later Wisman said the coach was right in his actions, but Knight said he was wrong.

* He guides Indiana to a 32-0 record, the last time an NCAA Division I team finished the season undefeated.

* He is named national coach of the year by AP, UPI and Basketball Weekly.

* Indiana record: 32-0, 18-0 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Defeated Michigan, 86-68, for NCAA title, his first one.

1975

* He is unanimous choice for national coach of the year.

* Indiana record: 31-1, 18-0 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Lost to Kentucky, 92-90, in regional final of NCAA tournament.

1974

* Indiana record: 23-5, 12-2 Big Ten (conference champions)

* Postseason: Defeated USC, 85-60, in first Collegiate Commissioner’s Association championship.

1973