Family of Bob Knight releases first statement, thank you following death

Basketball lost one of the sport’s greatest-ever coaches on Friday, with the legendary Bobby Knight passing away. A huge figure in the state of Indiana, Knight is best known for being the Hoosiers’ head coach but also spent time at Army and Texas Tech. He was 83 years old.

On Saturday afternoon, the family of Bob Knight released their first statement since his passing. They sent out a thank you to everyone involved in the head coach’s life throughout the years. Plenty have reached out to support in recent days, something they have appreciated.

“I just want to thank everybody for the love and support you have shown my family during this difficult time. It has been unbelievable,” Pat Knight, his daughter, said.

“I also want to thank the Indiana Pacers Organization for going above and beyond in supporting and giving me the freedom to help take care of my dad. 

“I want all the former players, managers, and assistant coaches to know that he really loved you all. I know my dad is in a better place now coaching and fishing. I guarantee the first player he picked to coach on his team was John Havlicek. 

“Lastly, I am proud to have the trifecta of being his son, player, and assistant coach. But I’m really proud that I just got to call him Dad. Once again thank you all from the bottom of my heart!”

Knight won three national championships in Bloomington as a coach while adding another one as a player at Ohio State in 1960. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

In his 29 years at Indiana, Knight totaled a 662-239 record — including a 353-151 mark in conference play — as he became the program’s all-time winningest coach. The Hoosiers made it to the NCAA Tournament in all but four of his years as head coach and he led the program to an undefeated season in 1975-76.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family,” Knight’s family said, announcing his death. “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored.  We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend.  

“In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Coach with a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association or Marian University.”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report