Feb. 5, 2003
I know the critics have been upset with me when I've praised Texas Tech coach Bob Knight. All the anti-Knight people just jump when I sing his praises.

Let me tell you, I sing the praises of Robert Montgomery Knight because of what he stands for. He's part of the old American tradition of hard work, discipline and persevering in pursuit of your dream by busting your gut. And now, with Texas Tech's 75-49 win over Nebraska on Wednesday night, Knight has joined the elite 800-win club of men's college basketball. The other three club members are Adolph Rupp, Jim Phelan and Dean Smith, who leads the way with 879.

		I'm wondering: Why is Bob Knight getting more headlines than me? I won 77 games in my four years on the sidelines at the University of Detroit. He's only got 723 more than I do! Wait a minute, that's not true. I actually have more than The General! I've coached more than 1,000 games at ABC and ESPN since then. I'm undefeated, baby, and I coach the best of the best every time out. As a broadcaster, I coach Indiana on Monday, Duke on Wednesday, Kentucky on Saturday and Kansas on Sunday ... I never lose, baby! So move over, General Robert Montgomery Knight! Your 800 won't even come close! Just kidding, man. I can't even imagine what it's like to stand on the sidelines for 800 games and to be in that pressure cooker 800 times -- never mind winning 800. That's a true test of time, a genuine sign of being a superstar in any walk of life. In the entertainment world or the athletic world, the ability to succeed year after year is something special. Knight has done it! Expectations are high any time you wear the uniform of a team coached by The General. He turned the Texas Tech program around. Nobody could have created the excitement and winning environment that he did in Lubbock after a nine-win season before his arrival.

All Knight has ever been about is fair play. We scream and yell about some of his actions, and he has gone bananas in the past. I've been critical of some of his behavior, and we've all made mistakes. I have certainly made mistakes in my life.

But there are so many positives that he's demonstrated throughout his career. Just ask the players who played for him.

Ask Dr. Brian Sloan, the son of Jerry Sloan, a big screener who was part of Indiana's passing game. The younger Sloan will tell you that he learned more from Knight in his tenure with the Hoosiers than he did in all of his time in medical school.

Talk to some of the players who played for him during his West Point days. We're not talking about guys who had to worry about hitting jump shots, but saving lifes and bringing great honor to our nation.

I remember sitting in Knight's office one time, reading a letter from one of his former players who was sent into the Gulf War conflict. The young man talked about all he endured in working hard and competing for Bob Knight.

I read the letter and it talked of how the player used those values in the biggest game of his life. He said, "Coach, I am worried about my family, and don't forget my wife and kids if something happens."

That tells you about the effect he has had on people. Just ask Isiah Thomas or Steve Alford, who each won national titles with Knight at Indiana (Thomas in 1981, Alford in '87). Both spent time in Lubbock during the offseason to share about things they had learned from their former coach.

Go ask Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who played for Knight at West Point. There was a time when the two didn't talk. But when it was time for Krzyzewski to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, Knight was right there. Coach K will tell you about many of the values he learned, and how many of the things he utilizes in stimulating and motivating his players are from Knight.

Knight is one of the sharpest minds ever to grace the sidelines. Yes, his tactics may not be what some believe in. Still, when you graduate players, when you win basketball games, and when you do it the right way with integrity and pride and not a hint of an NCAA investigation, that's memorable.

I'm not only proud to say he's a colleague, and proud to say I enjoy watching his teams compete, I'm proud to call him a friend. If I ever needed a helping hand, I know I could pick up the phone and he'd give me support. Yes, we have had our battles. But the one thing I know about the man is that he's fiercely loyal, and when he considers you a friend, you can count on him.

I will remember Robert Montgomery Knight's wins. I will remember all the things he has done on the court. More importantly, I will remember the way he has helped people. Just call the Children's hospital, the Library Fund in Indiana, and other people in need.

He's a legend, an icon, a superstar in coaching. But he is a lot more than just the Ws, baby! In a nation where we've lost some of our respect for authority figures, it just blows my mind. Knight is old school, do your best, bust your gut, enjoy every moment -- and the satisfaction of success will come.

There is so much more about Knight than the three national championships (1976 as well as '81 and '87), the Olympic gold-medal performance and the coach of the year honors. Knight's kids have played as a team. He has never been about the individual name on the jersey. He's always been about team: T for togetherness, E for enthusiasm, A for attitude and M for mental toughness. He's about pride in wearing the jersey.

Knight is a genuine Hall of Famer, and 800 wins is just another accomplishment in a long, successful life. He is awesome, baby, with a capital A!