Bobby Knight. Seriously?
Sat, 31st January, 2009 - Posted by |
Furman Bisher breaks the news that Bobby Knight has expressed interest in being the next head coach of the Georgia basketball team.
If you are one of those Bulldogs deeply distressed about the course of basketball at the University of Georgia, I have promising news for you. How would you like to have Bob Knight coaching your team?
No thanks.
I mean, I get it, Bobby Knight is a legendary college basketball coach and would turn the national media’s eye towards Athens for next year’s basketball season and beyond. He lifted Texas Tech into basketball respectability and could possibly do the same for Georgia. He’d build the foundation for the next coach to build on.
But, he is 68 years old. How many years could he give us? Granted, while grumpy old curmudgeons tend to live well into their 90’s, can they coach college basketball much past 70?
He doesn’t seem like a candidate that a young AD like Damon Evans would gravitate towards. It seems like Evans would want to bring in a fresh energy to the program. Someone who would take advantage of modern technologies in coaching and recruiting and who could relate more closely with today’s student athlete. Knight seems like the opposite.
Also, when is the last time he made a championship run? Sure, older Dawgs like myself appreciate his accomplishments made during the 70’s and 80’s but today’s student athlete knows Knight for his ill temperament and being a jerk while hunting on someone’s private property.
I admit there is something inherently fascinating about a person who speaks his mind in such a blunt and dramatic fashion. If he is hired, it could be a fun ride for Georgia Basketball. I just think there are many younger candidates like Jamie Dixon, Jeff Capel and Anthony Grant that match the profile that will serve Georgia Basketball well now, and forward into the future.
Tags: Bobby Knight / Georgia Basketball / Georgia Bulldogs / Knight To UGA / UGA
Excellent post. I agree, its fascinating and flattering to a certain degree, but we’d have to throw a bucket of money at a guy who’d be here maybe 2-3 years before he either gets thrown in the ACC pokey for hitting a kid or decides to retire….again.
The recruiting aspect is most intriguing. From everything I remember even when he was at Texas Tech (and I just looked this up to be sure) his name alone pulls in top talent. Even at his age he still pulled in top classes. More so than you would think. Young kids know very well who Bob Knight is – they know his history & his record. Plus he’s on espn everytime you turn around. A lot of young coaches today emulate his defenses still. I’m pretty sure from a recruiting standpoint we could really be in great shape.
I think the biggest issue is that he won’t get along with Georgia fans. Damon has made is abundantly clear he wants a proven winner, not an up & comer, so I highly doubt he’ll go after a young guy with potential – he has waaaay too much pressure on him from MA & boosters right now for that anyways. The fans won’t like Bobby’s style & attitude. We’re not like lamecock fans who’ll take whatever they can get (ie Spurrier) and let him run the show. Bobby is a “my way or the highway” kind of dude & that won’t fly here.
I honestly think Damon’s gonna go after a big name & current winner. With our facilities, ripe recruiting base, an endless pot of gold, and an AD that is determined to win ASAP, I feel pretty confident that we can do better than Coach Knight. I hope so at least.
I will hate not ever getting to see Bobby throw a chair at our chief asshat Michael Adams however. That alone is worth 2 million dollars
If we’re going to get a proven name Damon will really have to open up the check book. Should be an interesting off-season
RidgeDawg