Robert M. "Bob" Knight

Enshrined 1991
Born: October 25, 1940
Massillon, OH

Bob Knight is a legend among coaches. His teams are much like him - disciplined, tough, smart, focused, and tenacious. His success is based on his ability to instill quality fundamentals in his players. Knight's hard-nosed approach has reaped large benefits including eleven Big Ten Conference titles, five Final Fours, and a 32-0 undefeated season in 1976. Knight first played for Ohio State under Hall of Fame coach Fred Taylor. His coaching appointment to West Point made him the youngest varsity coach in college history at age 24. In 1971, Knight moved to Indiana University. Changing the nature of play from run-and-gun to ball control, he turned Big 10 games into intense and hard-fought affairs. In 1984, Knight became one of only three coaches to win the triple crown with an NCAA title, a NIT title, and an Olympic Gold Medal. Knight continues to pass on his legacy -- currently sixteen of his former assistants have become head coaches at the collegiate level.