Bob Knight has not returned to Assembly Hall since being fired by Indiana in 2000, but that all could be changing.
Both SI and The Athletic reported on Friday night that Indiana is preparing for Knight to be in the arena for Saturday’s game between IU and in-state rival Purdue. Former Purdue legendary coach Gene Keady is also set to attend the game.
Dick Vitale also shared a photo of Knight and suggested the coach was likely to attend.
Shared stories of the past @IndianaMBB days this afternoon with Coach Knight & son Patrick now head of @NBA scouting of Western Conf for @Pacers My gut says a gr8 chance he returns to Assembly Hall Sat @espn 2 pm @espnbob @KrisBudden pic.twitter.com/KEO42Vkw3y
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 8, 2020
The 1979-1980 team that was ranked as high as No. 1 during that season is being honored at halftime. Knight reportedly spoke for a video that will play, and the coach may also be showing up. The Athletic’s Seth Davis says Isiah Thomas and Randy Wittman have been pushing for Knight to attend.
Now 79, Knight moved back to Bloomington last year from Lubbock, where he lived during and after a coaching stint at Texas Tech.
Knight coached Indiana for 29 seasons and won three championships, highlighted by his 1975-76 team, which went 32-0. Knight was known for his strict coaching style and often crossed lines with the way he treated his players and others. He was extremely upset over his firing, and as recently as three years ago, said he had no interest in returning to the school.
