Marian University athletic director Steve Downing on Friday introduced Pat Knight, son of Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight, as the NAIA program's new head basketball coach.
Downing played under Bob Knight at Indiana from 1970 to 1973 and was named the 1973 Big Ten Player of the Year as Indiana reached the Final Four. Knight passed away on Nov. 1, 2023, and the Hoosiers honored the three-time national champion coach with a commemorative “RMK” patch on their uniforms.
“Honestly, every time I hear the words 'Coach Knight,' I'm still new to it, you know,” Downing said to begin Pat Knight's introductory press conference. “I heard those words. I'm looking over my shoulder for his father. But again, Pat, he always tells me I'm family, and I don't like him. I've known you for a long time.”
Pat Knight, 53, will replace Scott Headey, who coached Marian for the past seven seasons, but resigned last Friday to become head basketball coach at the University of Indianapolis, an NCAA Division II program.
Headey posted an overall record of 168-56 and 85-39 against Crossroads League opponents. He took Marian to the NAIA tournament all seven seasons, including the deepest semifinal appearance in program history in 2018-19. Under current head coach Mike Woodson, Indiana has played an exhibition game against Marian each of the past two seasons, and it wouldn't be surprising to see that continue.
Knight coached at Lamar University from 2011 to 2014 and has been working as a scout for the Indiana Pacers since 2014. He previously spent 11 years at Texas Tech University as an assistant from 2001 to 2008 and as head coach from 2008 to 2011.
Downing was Bob's associate athletic director when he coached the Red Raiders in the early 2000s. Pat also served as an assistant at the University of Akron and the University of Indiana, where he had a 79-123 record as a head coach. He played for his father at Indiana University from 1991 to 1995, appearing in 112 games over four seasons, starting five, and averaging 1.2 points, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 rebounds per game. .
Pat, who was introduced as Marian's head coach on Friday, began by answering why he returned to coaching after a 10-year break.
“There are two reasons,” Knight said. “First of all, I'm not happy with the way my career ended. I never had a chance to build my program. The rug was pulled out from under me and it hasn't left me for 10 years. So I'm like, 'I've been waiting for the opportunity to build my own program for 10 years because I have a chip on their shoulder. ”
“The second reason is another opportunity to honor my dad and pass on the lessons he taught me and the young people I try to mentor,” Knight said. . “That's it. Those are the two reasons to go back. And you ask, why Marian University? Well, that answers itself, because this is Marian University. Who I speak to. Everyone, this is a special place.”
Knight went on to talk about how he came to be Marian's head coach and what he envisions for Marian's basketball future.
Full video here.
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