DMN more on Bobby Knights verbal argument with

OldTimer · February 3, 2004

Top Tech officials meet over Knight incident

03:37 AM CST on Tuesday, February 3, 2004

By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News

Texas Tech officials discussed Bob Knight's future as their men's basketball coach Monday night, hours after he and university chancellor Dr. David Smith had a heated argument at a Lubbock-area grocery store during lunch.

Sally Post, Tech's interim director of news and publications, confirmed that the men got into a loud exchange about noon Monday at Market Street, a popular lunchtime restaurant inside United Supermarket on 50th Street and Indiana Avenue.

Mrs. Post said all top-level university officials met to discuss the situation, which comes a little more than a month after Mr. Knight used several profanities in a nationally televised interview. When asked if they were considering firing Mr. Knight, a high-ranking school official said the situation was fluid because it was a personnel issue.

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Randy Farley, who serves as Mr. Knight's spokesman, did not return phone messages Monday.

Dr. Smith said: "I'm sure that in the course of the next few days, more will come out. But I can't comment on it right now."

Bob Black, chairman of the Tech board of regents, said he received a full report on the situation. He declined to comment on what actions, if any, would be taken.

"This is a personnel matter that's being handled internally within the university," Mr. Black said.

Tech is expected to issue a formal statement today, Mrs. Post said. Texas Tech, ranked 19th nationally, plays at home tonight against Baylor.

The high-ranking school official said Dr. Smith walked up to athletic director Gerald Myers, who was with Mr. Knight at the store, and commented on how well Mr. Knight had behaved lately. Mr. Myers said Dr. Smith should tell Mr. Knight himself.

Dr. Smith walked over to Mr. Knight and reiterated his statement, the official said. Mr. Knight became angry immediately and began shouting. Dr. Smith walked away, and Mr. Knight followed him into the parking lot. At that point, Mr. Myers stepped in and restrained Mr. Knight. He ushered the 63-year-old coach to a vehicle.

There was no physical contact between the two, the official said. Mr. Myers did not return repeated phone messages Monday.

Dan Sanders, chief marketing officer for United, said he interviewed at least a half-dozen people at the store. All gave different versions of the incident, but the common thread was that Dr. Smith and Mr. Knight had an argument. There was no damage at the store, Mr. Sanders said.

"In terms of our facility, it's really inconsequential to the issue between Mr. Knight and Dr. Smith. It's regrettable," Mr. Sanders said.

Mr. Knight's contract does not have any clause pertaining to behavior; he has the standard contract all Tech coaches receive. Tech does have the right to terminate Mr. Knight's contract without cause at any time. After this season, Mr. Knight will have two years remaining on a contract worth $750,000 annually.

Mr. Knight's behavior led to his downfall at Indiana University, where he coached for 29 seasons. In March 2000, the university investigated Mr. Knight after former player Neil Reed said he was choked in a 1997 practice. Two months later, Mr. Knight was placed on a "zero-tolerance" policy and fined $30,000 and suspended for three games.

In September 2000, Mr. Knight allegedly grabbed a student by the arm and lectured him about manners after the student allegedly said, "Hey, Knight, what's up?" Former Indiana president Myles Brand fired Mr. Knight for what he termed "a pattern of unacceptable behavior."

Tech hired Mr. Knight in March 2001. The school hoped the Hall of Fame coach would raise the profile of the university and its sports programs. It worked. Tech reached the 2002 NCAA Tournament in Mr. Knight's first season, and the Red Raiders finished third in the National Invitation Tournament in 2003.

This season, Tech is 16-4. Things have not been as smooth off the court.

On Dec. 22, Mr. Knight used multiple profanities during an interview with ESPN. The network bleeped out the profanities but aired the interview 'round the clock. The next day, Mr. Knight apologized for his remarks, but the university did not levy any punishment.

E-mail brdavis@dallasnews.com