Indiana Coaching Legend Bobby Knight Hospitalized

Indiana University coaching legend Bobby Knight was hospitalized over the weekend with an acute illness, the school announced in a memo to alumni.

Knight, 82, has been battling several health issues in recent years and the school asked for prayers from those close to the program.

He reportedly is back home, though it has not been determined if his condition has improved.

“Please join us in sending prayers to coach Knight and his family,” an email from the school to former players reportedly read. “The family’s hope is to have him back home soon.”

Knight played high school football and basketball at Orville High in Ohio before playing college basketball at Ohio State. His coaching career began shortly after he graduated, when he took an assistant job at Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1962-63.

He then became an assistant at Army, before becoming the head coach at Army from 1965-71. Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was a point guard for Army when Knight was the coach.

Knight took the Indiana job in 1971 and stayed until 2000, becoming a state and national legend along the way. Known for his abrasive personality with both his own players and the referees, Knight led the Hoosiers to the championship in 1975 — as the only unbeaten team in college basketball history.

He later coached point guard and future NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, winning the championship in 1981, then Indiana legend Steve Alford, winning it all again in 1987. Current Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson was a member of the 1981 title team and later became a pro himself.

Knight left Indiana amidst a storm of controversy and coached Texas Tech from 2001-08. He then became an analyst at ESPN for a short while.

Legendary IU basketball coach Bobby Knight hospitalized with illness https://t.co/KIrOr5ZEvU

— Kevin Landers (@Kevin10TV) April 3, 2023