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Indiana University President Myles Brand announced Sunday (Sept. 10) the removal of Bob Knight from the position of IU men’s basketball coach, effective immediately. Brand’s decision was supported by the IU Trustees.
The university can exercise this option under paragraph 9 of Knight’s contract, which specifies: “If the university at any time desires, Coach shall cease to serve as head basketball coach when so advised in writing.” A certified letter was sent to Knight Monday. In exercising this option, the university is obligated to continue to pay Knight his salary through the end of his contract, which expires June 30, 2002. The university will abide by the terms of the contract. The decision was made in response to Knight’s disturbing pattern of inappropriate behavior since May 15, when the university issued him specific sanctions and directives regarding appropriate behavior. Examples of this pattern were Knight’s refusal to work within the normal chain of command in the IU Athletics Department, his angry remarks about university officials and the university trustees, his refusal to participate in previously scheduled events f or IU alumni, his lack of cooperation in fulfilling the sanctions issued May 15 and a confrontation with an IU student at Assembly Hall on Sept. 7. “This is not how anyone wanted Bob Knight’s career at Indiana University to end,” Brand said. “ He is a legendary coach who has won three national championships, had graduation rates among the highest in the country, has run a crystal-clean program with n o NCAA violations and has been a great philanthropist. But he has failed to live within the guidelines by which he promised to abide. This required action saddens me greatly. It is the most difficult decision I have ever had to make.” http://www.indiana.edu/ | |
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Publication date: 15 September 2000
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