Bloomington, Ind. ? Bob Knight flashed a bit of his familiar volatility in his return to Bloomington.

In an effort to keep a line of more than 1,200 moving at a book signing Sunday, bookstore employees began writing names on paper so Texas Tech coach Knight didn’t have to ask for them.

The former Indiana coach apparently wasn’t pleased with the penmanship.

“Let’s get this straightened out right now,” Knight snapped. “I can’t even read some of this stuff.”

The writing quality improved quickly as did Knight’s overall demeanor.

Fans began gathering for the signing nearly 12 hours before Knight’s arrival, all in an effort to get the former Indiana coach’s signature on “Knight: My Story,” co-written with Bob Hammel, a former sports editor at The Herald-Times in Bloomington.

Basketball fans weren’t clamoring for the former Hoosier coach during Indiana’s run to the NCAA championship game.

But the truly devoted were more than happy to spend a sunny Sunday waiting for Knight.

“I’ve been a Bob Knight fan from Day 1,” said Janice Furnish, wearing a Knight T-shirt, button and even a pair of earrings made of photographs of Knight’s face.

Furnish was getting 10 books signed for friends and relatives.

“He’s just a great man,” she said. “I can’t find any fault with him whatsoever.”

Knight coached the Hoosiers for nearly 30 years.

He won three national championships, and became a part of Indiana culture.

He was fired on Sept. 10, 2000, for violating the Indiana University’s “zero-tolerance” policy.

Knight is now the coach at Texas Tech.

Judging from the vast array of Texas Tech hats, sweat shirts and buttons worn by those awaiting an autograph, Knight and Texas Tech have plenty of fans in Bloomington.

Stephen Anderson, who was second on line, claims to have videotaped every game Knight has coached since 1987, including the Texas Tech games this season. Like many Knight supporters, he believes the university “done him wrong.”

Anderson still supports the Hoosiers.

He cheered them on through their surprising tournament run.

“You can still be an Indiana fan and a Bob Knight fan,” Anderson said.

Knight’s popularity and his controversial nature were recently documented in an ESPN movie about the fiery Hall of Fame coach.