Bob Knight, a renowned basketball coach who led Indiana University to three NCAA national championships, has passed away at the age of 83 at his residence in Bloomington, Indiana.
The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed, but it is known that Knight had been dealing with dementia and declining health for several years. The news of his passing was made public through an announcement posted on his website. Former president Donald Trump paid tribute to Bob Knight via social media.
In this segment, we will provide you with information about Bob Knight’s surviving family members, including his wife, Karen, and his two sons, Tim and Pat.
All About Bob Knight’s Wife
Bob Knight had been married twice. Previously, he wed Nancy Falk on April 17, 1963, and together they had two sons, Tim and Pat. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1985.
Pat Knight, one of their sons, played basketball at Indiana from 1991 to 1995 and later served as the head coach at Lamar, a position he held from the time of his father’s retirement until he was relieved of his coaching duties in 2014. Following his retirement, Pat also coached at Texas Tech before taking on the role at Lamar.
In 1988, Bob Knight remarried, this time to Karen Vieth Edgar, who had previously served as a high school basketball coach in Oklahoma. Throughout Bov’s coaching career at Indiana University and Texas Tech University, as well as during his struggles with health issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Karen Vieth Edgar remained a steadfast source of support for Bob Knight.
Social Media Flooded with Tributes After Bob Knight’s Passing
Bob Knight, the iconic former coach of Indiana, Army, and Texas Tech, passed away on Wednesday. Numerous individuals took to social media to express their tributes to this legendary figure in college basketball history.
Prior to the exhibition game of Indiana women’s basketball at Assembly Hall on Wednesday night, a moment of silence was observed in honor of Knight.
Indiana basketball public address announcer Jeremy Gray said, “One of the game’s true giants, Bob Knight, passed away. The iconic coach, arguably the greatest in the history of the sport, won three NCAA championships and 11 Big Ten titles, and authored countless Hoosier memories.”
Mike Woodson, a former Hoosiers player, and Indiana’s current coach wrote in a statement, “I am so blessed that he saw something in me as a basketball player. He influenced my life in ways I could never repay. As he did with all of his players, he always challenged me to get the most out of myself as a player and more importantly, as a person. His record as a basketball coach speaks for itself. He will be remembered as one of the greatest ever.”
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo also said about Knight’s death, “He was a guy I idolized when I got here [in 1983] because Bobby Knight was the man. He treated me great, and he helped me. I wish people knew what a great heart that he had. He was a different dude, but if you needed some help, he would answer the bell. The game has lost an icon.”
Rest In Peace, Bobby Knight!