Profane. Rude. Intimidating. The description Indiana University spokesman Christopher Simpson gave in September of newly dismissed basketball coach Bob Knight's behavior at a July meeting might well have described the Hoosiers coach's conduct throughout his 29-year tenure in Bloomington. But with a so-called "zero tolerance" policy instituted by university president Myles Brand last spring following two CNN/Sports Illustrated pieces, the second of which showed videotaped evidence of a physical confrontation with former Indiana player Neil Reed, such behavior was, in theory, no longer acceptable. In fact, such behavior had to occur in combination with Knight allegedly grabbing and swearing at student Kent Harvey for addressing the coach by his last name for it to meet the standard for termination, which came Sept. 10. Knight said he was trying to teach Harvey a lesson in "manners and civility," two modes of conduct not exhibited by Knight supporters -- who burned Brand in effigy on his own lawn, caused $30,000 in damage to the IU campus and threatened Harvey into temporary exile -- or by Knight himself, who attempted to belittle and refused to shake the hand of ESPN reporter Jeremy Schaap after a contentious post-firing interview. Knight is focusing on speaking engagements and book-writing as he mulls his prospects for the future. Former assistant Mike Davis is now in charge of patrolling the Indiana sidelines, where so far all chairs have remained intact.

--Jamal Greene