Bob Knight

Success at Texas Tech

Texas Tech (2001-2008)


After taking a season off, Knight accepted a head coaching job at Texas Tech where he quickly got the Red Raider program back to its winning ways, which had not been to an NCAA tournament since 1996. In his initial season, Texas Tech went from 11th in the Big 12 Conference to a tie for third and posted a +14 point victory margin. Texas Tech’s 23 wins in that initial season represented Knight’s 25th season of winning 20 or more games and were Tech’s highest amount of single season victories since the 1995-1996 season. The Red Raiders also earned an NCAA Tournament berth for the 11th time in the school’s 77 years of fielding basketball teams and marked the 25th time Coach Knight had taken his teams to the NCAA tournament. He lead the Red Raiders to post season appearances in each of his first four years at the school: (2001-2002) NCAA first round. (2002-2003) NIT Semifinals, his eighth NIT appearance and the 34th time in his 37 years of coaching that his teams had played in post-season tournaments.  In 2003-2004, Texas Tech reached the Second Round of the NCAA tournament, and he also received his 800th career win when Texas Tech defeated Nebraska 75-49.  The following season, Texas Tech made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.  In 2007, with 880 wins, Knight became the winningest coach in the Division I men’s basketball history.  He remarked, “When a coach is recognized, it is a recognition (sic) of his players.” On Feb. 4, 2008 Knight ended his career with 902 wins
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Texas Tech
His success was not only teaching the game of basketball, for his ability to teach young men the game of life is one of his most noted characteristics. Knight takes immense pride in the graduation rate of his players. All but four of his four-year players completed degrees, a ratio of nearly 98 percent. He has been able to achieve success for such a long time, which attests to his innovation and creativity. His legacy goes far beyond the realm of his numerous achievements and highly recognized status on the hard-court.