Memorable Knight

SI: Should someone from Indiana have been there for the celebration when you broke the record?

Knight: I got enough notes and things from people around the state of Indiana who appreciate what I did there. I don't think the university has any appreciation of it, but that's all right.

SI: You thought seriously about retiring in 1981, when CBS offered you more money to become an analyst than you were making at IU. You also thought about taking the New Mexico job in 1988. How many times have you considered retiring or going someplace else?

Knight: All coaches, when things aren't going very well, think, What the hell, what am I doing this for? But it always comes back to being a teacher. John Wooden called me and made a good comment. He said, "We went about things a different way, but we're both really teachers at heart." I agree with that.

SI: Regrets?

Knight: Sure, maybe because I didn't do as good a job with a player or a team as I should have. I also regret tremendously that I stayed at Indiana as long as I did. The last six years there were not good for me. At every one of the three schools, I've worked for really good people. But at every one, there's also been a sorry bastard or two. I should have left Indiana when the sorry bastards came into power.

SI: You had a special relationship with the fans in Indiana, especially the rural ones. You seemed to reflect their old-fashioned values.

Knight: I would hope that's true. It's also true here. When [Tech A.D.] Gerald Myers called me, [Knight's wife] Karen said, "Well, I'll tell you one thing: The people of West Texas will feel very comfortable with you, and you will feel comfortable with them." She was right. This is a great place to live and work. The people are really good. They have an independent streak in 'em that you really have to like.

SI: In Bloomington your favorite lunch spot was Smitty's, an out-of-the-way joint where you'd come in the back door and walk through the kitchen to see what was cooking before you sat down to eat. Have you found a Smitty's in Lubbock?

Knight: Oh, I've got four or five of them. No, that's not right. I'll probably never find a place as good as Smitty's. Put that in there, will you?