Lubbock, Texas — Bob Knight is back in college basketball, ending a six-month exile to coach a Texas Tech team that hopes he can build a winner and control his temper.
After missing his first college season since 1963-64, the former Indiana coach signed a five-year, $1.25 million deal with Tech. With other incentives, the salary comes to about $400,000 annually, athletics director Gerald Myers said Friday.
Knight pulled on a red sweater vest as he was introduced to a cheering crowd at United Spirit Arena. This one was embroidered with "TT" instead of "IU."
"This is without a doubt the most comfortable red sweater I've had in six years," said Knight, who almost always wore one at Indiana.
There are no behavior-related clauses in the contract, other than the standard requirements of all Tech employees, Myers said. Tech policy states that "cause for termination includes failure to perform duties, actions that are detrimental to the university, and any violation of university, Big 12 or NCAA rules."
Knight's temper led to his firing in September from Indiana, where he had won three national titles in 29 years.
"I just ask that you don't pass judgment until you get to know him," his wife, Karen, told the cheering crowd.
Myers said the hiring would give the Red Raiders instant national credibility.
"I think this is the beginning of something special," Myers said. "We've got the opportunity to make this program competitive at the highest level of college basketball."
The 60-year-old Hall of Fame coach was the only serious candidate to replace James Dickey, even though about 100 of the university's 900 faculty members signed a petition advising against the move.
Knight's salary puts him a little behind other coaches in the Big 12 Conference, where the average package is $500,000.
Indiana fired Knight for breaking a no-tolerance policy imposed after a series of behavior problems. His list of outbursts is almost as long as his list of accomplishments.
Knight's most infamous flare-up in a game was tossing a chair across a court. Years earlier, he was convicted for hitting a Puerto Rican policeman before a practice at the Pan American Games.
Others include kicking his son's leg during a game and allegedly choking a player in a practice. The final straw was when he grabbed the arm of a student who referred to the coach by his last name.
"The General" did not seriously consider any coaching jobs until this one.
Tech officials met with him early this month in Florida, four days before Dickey was fired.
With Myers pushing for the hiring of his longtime friend, the biggest hurdle was a school rule that prevented it from being completed until 10 business days after Dickey was fired.
Tech is counting on Knight to improve a program stuck in reverse since reaching the Sweet 16 five years ago. NCAA sanctions that cost nine scholarships in the last four years were part of the problem.
Knight, whose programs have followed NCAA rules and had high graduation rates, should help the Red Raiders become more of a factor in the Big 12, which sent five teams to the NCAA Tournament this year.
Lagging ticket sales has been another problem at the 2-year-old, $68 million United Spirit Arena. Tech's women's program outdrew the men's team. Talk about Knight's hiring has led to a surge in interest for season tickets.
Tech finished 9-19 this season. The season before Knight was hired by Indiana, the Hoosiers went 7-17. They were 17-7 in his first season and went on to win four consecutive Big Ten titles from 1973 to 1976.
Overall, Knight has amassed a 763-289 career record. Besides three national titles, his record includes 11 Big Ten titles and an Olympic gold medal in 1984. Knight is 117 victories behind former North Carolina coach Dean Smith, who leads the NCAA Division I all-time coaching victories list.
"We're getting one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, and he is getting the opportunity to finish up what has already been a great career," Myers said. "Texas Tech will be a better place for hiring Bob Knight."
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