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Bobby Knight
1940 - 2023
Bobby Knight
1940 - 2023
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1940
DIED
2023
Bobby Knight Obituary
Bobby Knight was a longtime basketball coach for the Indiana Hoosiers who became a college sports legend both for his remarkable winning record and for his notorious temper.
We invite you to share condolences for Bobby Knight in our Guest Book.
Read Full Obituary.
(Photo: Getty Images)
39 Entries
Col Michael A Smith
August 11, 2025
I was your very good friend that you never knew
R Lemons
March 12, 2025
I will never forget the day you coached us at Stanford. I could feel the intensity and passion you had for us to play to our potential. It wasn't the W or L, it was did we give it everything we had? We had a great squad and we needed that push to get over the hump. We tore it up the rest of the season. Who knew you were great at coaching baseball too? A great friend of the late Jerry Kindall and one of the best Guest Managers for the AZ Wildcats. Appreciate you Coach. R.I.P.
Scott Graham
December 6, 2024
What is a legacy? Some remember the good, some remember the bad, some just remember the basketball games. For me, I was a nine-year-old boy in southern Indiana who was so into basketball, It was all I thought about and all I wanted to do. I wrote this coach in 1983, in the middle of a season, to help me with my school project. This man wrote me back in the middle of a busy season, and provided so much for my project, it was far beyond what I expected. I will never forget the nice signed note he sent me along with it. Of all the good and the bad, this is the one way I´d like to remember Coach Knight. This is a guy that was sincere, honest, and he loved the state of Indiana...That´s how I choose to remember the man. He will be missed.
Linda L Martin
March 1, 2024
Would loved to have met him. His paternal grandmother was my paternal grandmother´s sister. . (Vines family from the Mt Ida, Arkansas area.)
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Dr. Barry Davis
February 24, 2024
I wrote Coach Knight a letter expressing my admiration for his coaching and teaching. He was someone who I never met, but took much from his intensity and love of teaching. Two or three weeks later I get a letter from him thanking me for the kind words. He wished me and my team the best. I wish I could have met him.
John Johnson
December 2, 2023
God Bless rest in peace Bob Knight, from John Johnson
Jesse Thomas
November 30, 2023
I grew up watching IU and Coach Knight. He helped make collage basketball what it is today. Remember it´s only basketball in 49 states but here in Indiana it´s a lot more. My prayers are with his family. Hoosier for life. RIP.
Anonymous
November 12, 2023
I´m 40 years old and wanted to play basketball under coach knight I respected and his coaching I became an Indiana fun under coach knight at 4 years old and then followed his to become a fan of Texas tech coach knight thank you for your service sir gone but never forgotten sending prayers to your family and friends and fans and players
Shaylin Krone Heckman
November 11, 2023
Our thought and prayers are with Karen, Tim, Pat, and families. We had great memories with Coach in Montana and my dad was forever grateful to be able to attend the 87 Champion Championship game. We got to go to Boise in 92 as well and had a blast. We all thought the world of him. Larry Krone family from Augusta, Montana
Butch Huff
November 11, 2023
Butch Huff
November 11, 2023
Butch Huff
November 11, 2023
Butch Huff
November 11, 2023
Butch Huff
November 11, 2023
Basketball games in Bloomington and Lubbock. He was a great friend, and I have many wonderful memories of our times together. He and Karen were always warm and welcoming...I´m gutted by his passing but I know he is no longer ill and suffering. I miss him daily.
Kathy HANCOCK
November 11, 2023
I attended IU from 1977-1980. I attended every home game and traveled to many away games. Coach Knight was an amazing person and coach. I waited on him once at the Bloomington CC. He was there with the team doctor, Brad Bomba. He was very polite to me. I remembered he drank Sprite mixed with OJ. I had never served that to anyone and thought it was funny. Another time I was fortunate to attend a workshop that he led for faculty members. I was a student, but was given a ticket to the event. Coach asked for questions from the group, and I asked him something about zone defense. I was amazed how seriously and respectfully he responded to me.
Coach Knight loved basketball, IU, and he loved his players, too. He always demanded their best and wanted the best for him.
I know Coach was born in Ohio, but he will always be a Hoosier to me and the millions around the world who loved and admired him. Go fishin', Coach. You deserve it! Katherine Hancock BS 1980 MS 1985
BERNIE CAMPBELL
November 10, 2023
I WOULDNT DOUBT MY DAD AND UNKLE JIMMY USED TO TIP A FEW BACK THE DAY..A VERY POPULAR NAME PERSONALLY TO ME..MY BROTHER ROBERTS ALIAS R NAME.. MY SINCERE CONDOLONCES TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY BERNIE CAMPBELL STATEN ISLAND SPORTS WRITER EARNIE D, AND CHOCALATE THUNDER ALWAYS..
Roger Duggins
November 9, 2023
Being a Indiana native, I watched IU basketball as much as possible during my career in the United States Marine Corps. When my son was a Sophomore in high school, he attended Coach Knights summer basketball camp. I had the privilege of hearing his speach to the kids at the end of camp. Needless to say, the camp was an experience my son never forgot. He went on to be a 4 year starter at the University of Laverne in Pomona, California.
Semper Fidelis Coach.
MSgt Roger Duggins
USMC(retired)
Robin patton
November 9, 2023
Once a fan always a fan
robin
Carolyn Blemker
November 8, 2023
When I lived in Bloomington, Indiana, I had the opportunity to attend some basketball games. Coach Bobby Knight was always at his best! It was a real joy to watch the IU team being coached by such a legend - Bobby Knight!
Matthew Flora
November 7, 2023
Rest in peace coach Knight, you will be missed by many. May Jesus comfort your family during this time
Jody Wayne Mullins
November 7, 2023
Coach Knight was an inspiration to many. He cared about his players and got the best out of them in basketball and in life. Bob Knight wanted things done with the pursuit of perfection and with integrity. He demanded honesty and loyalty. Deep condolences to the Knight family. May he have found peace with God in the end. Rest easy coach.
Amy Hibbert
November 6, 2023
Bobby Night was a legend a one of a kind and will be truly missed and remembered forever I pray for all of the family and friends
Levi Frick
November 6, 2023
Met Coach Knight at a corporate event where he spoke about motivating individuals & providing the best you can to succeed. It was as if he was only talking to me, he was so dynamic in his delivery and it really resonated with all the individuals who were there. I had the opportunity to meet his wife, Karen as she provided him a ride, he definitely was a focused individual & provided leadership throughout his career. My thoughts & prayers are with his wife Karen, sons, Tim & Pat, & the Knight family at this difficult time.
Will G
November 6, 2023
Never met the man. Great coach and American who cared about traditional values and all that is good and noble. May he rest in peace.
Dr. C. Michael Wood
November 6, 2023
COACH KNIGHT, QUITE SIMPLY, WAS A MAN OF UNCOMPROMISING PRINCIPALS! THIS IS SORELY MISSING THIS DAY AND AGE.
John Hall
November 6, 2023
Bobby and Karen are great people. I waited on them at Quick Lane. Love to a legend on my favorite sport.
Dave Mann
November 5, 2023
I actually met Bobby Knight twice and both times I was received warmly. First time, was at a tema pre-game practice prior to Indiana @ Iowa. The last time was when he did his vook tour and I approached him in the parking lot of WGN-TV in Chicago after he did an interviews. He was polite and autographed two copies of his book, one for me and one for his friend, the late Hall of Famer Hank Stram.
The one thing I came away with both times, is if you treat someone with respect, they just might respect you. And Bobby Knight did just that with me.
My condolences to his family.
Mary Louthan
November 4, 2023
Sending prayers, love, and sympathy to the Knight family. I´m so sorry for your loss! Coach Knight was so special! I will never forget him. I fell in love with IU and dreamed of attending college there, partly because I loved watching IU Basketball and Coach Knight during high school. The games were so exciting! It was an honor and a thrill to be able to attend IU, go to the games, and watch Coach Knight and his Hoosiers play the great game of basketball!! It truly was magical! I also had the privilege of going to one of his talks to students on campus one night. He was very down to earth and talked about the importance of saying, "No". He was encouraging us to be careful about making our choices in life. It was an amazing speech and made a lasting impression. We all love you Coach Knight! We´ll miss you! I´m glad you came back home to Indiana! God bless you! Rest peacefully...Mary L.
Donna James
November 4, 2023
Your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. You made your Hoosiers proud and, now you will be with The Lord.
Rest in Peace, Bobby.
Gary E Koscielniak
November 4, 2023
Please except my condolences. He was the greatest coach in college basketball. The way would help his players when they left IU. All the money raised for IU library. The way he was there for Ladon turner. Please except prayers for coach Knight and for his family. He will be missed.
A fellow coach
November 4, 2023
The world lost a great human being. He cared about the lives he touch more than the results on the court.
Tammy Brown Waterman
November 3, 2023
REST IN PEACE TO THE BEST BASKETBALL COACH IN COLLEGE HISTORY. YOU WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED....
Deirdre McNulty-Mitchell
November 3, 2023
When he came to Brockway,Pa to see Coach John J. McNulty, high school basketball coach, who was my father. He saw potential in a few of my father´s players. They ended up being lifetime friends. I´ll miss you Coach. Love, Deirdre McNulty-Mitchell
Cheryl Durham
November 3, 2023
Rest In Peace Bobby. My favorite memories of you will always be watching you on tv, with my dad and all the Hoosier excitement you brought to our lives.
Cheryl Durham
Former Indiana Hoosier
Jay skeen big sports fan never meet mr knight just watch sports t.v
November 3, 2023
RIP Bobby Knight one best coaches throw the chair acoss floor Look like Nebor pat murphy Jay skeen
Jennifer Ward
November 3, 2023
What an amazing basketball IQ, and what an equally amazing man. There will never be another "General"-REST IN PEACE
Elizabeth Bell
November 2, 2023
R.I.P. Bobby
Jay miller
November 2, 2023
As Rick Flair said, to be the man, you got to beat the man. Bobby you were the man
Matt Coloma
November 2, 2023
Sincere condolences to the entire Knight family.
A Duke fan since the 1980s, I traveled to Springfield, MA in 2001 for Mike Krzyzewksi's induction into the Basketball HOF, roughly a year following Coach Knight's dismissal from IU. The events at IU still at the forefront of many people's minds and two weeks after the terrorist attacks of 911, I've never forgotten Coach Knight's speech to bring Coach K into the HOF. He recognized the military and of course, Mike's accomplishments. But he started off humbly by stating if he helped Mike along the way, he showed him what NOT to do.
I attended a gala celebration later that evening and had the fortune to meet Coach Knight. He was very engaging with all who approached him - young and old. Uncertain how much TV airplay the HOF enshrinement would receive, I told him I hoped America would get an opportunity to hear his speech. With YouTube and the HOF releasing the rights to the induction speeches, I encourage people to view what he said.
Rest in peace, Coach.
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