Seth Davis of CBS recently noted the stunning hypocrisy of how Texas Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers has treated his high profile coaches the past four years: “Ironic that the school that fired Mike Leach for alleged player abuse wouldn’t even reprimand Bob Knight for popping a player in the mouth.”
Davis is referencing a 2006 incident featuring Bob Knight “striking” (ESPN’s words, not mine) Texas Tech basketball player Michael Prince in the chin during a game against Gardner Webb.
The blow caused Prince’s head to snap back, but Myers did nothing to reprimand Knight at the time, who said later that he would do it again if placed in the same situation. Myers later said, “Coach Knight did not slap Michael.”
Knight has since left the Tech job, replaced by his son Pat Knight.
I’d love to show you the video of the Knight-Prince incident, but the evidence has mysteriously been pulled off ESPN.com. Like Craig James, who helped hasten the termination of football coach Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Knight is now an employee of ESPN. Is it reasonable to think that ESPN might’ve deleted Knight “striking” a player in 2006 because of the Craig James-fueled incident?
Regardless, I contacted ESPN public relations earlier today about the Knight video being pulled and have gotten no response. There were also two videos of the the ESPN broadcasted Knight-Prince incident on Youtube recently, but those have since been pulled. One had been up for three years until recently. Coincidence?
On the bright side, at least Bob Knight is gone from Lubbock and Red Raiders fans can now count on a classy coach in Pat Knight.
That is, if you consider dropping three f-bombs at a media press conference in 20 seconds classy - as Knight did on Tuesday night after Texas Tech was blown out by New Mexico. Why do I have a feeling “Coach Knight” won’t be hearing from Myers about his public profanity?
Video is after the jump. Since it isn’t ESPN video, perhaps it won’t get subsequently deleted. (Not that I’m implying in any way that ESPN did that with the Bob Knight video.)
I’m not here to defend all of Leach’s methods, but the inequitable treatment by Myers of Leach and the Knights is downright astonishing and needed to be noted in the context of Leach’s untimely demise.
9:07 pm on December 31st, 2009
And what is also hypocritical is the Three Stooges - Gerald Meyers, Guy Bailey and Kent Hance - claim this termination is also partially due to insubordination. GIVE ME A BREAK!! Was it not insubordiantion when Bobby Knight (Gerald’s bossom buddy) physically confronted and attached the f’n CHANCELLOR of Texas Tech in a supermarket as well as jumped out on him at a public street intersection? What a joke these three clowns are.
9:11 pm on December 31st, 2009
The emails of Sowell, Myers and the chancellor are pretty damning.
Pat Knight is an idiot.
9:22 am on January 1st, 2010
i hope this info can be used in a court case and leach sues the heck out of texas tech!!!!!
texas tech is being run by cowards and hypocrites. they are busted for being frauds.
as for james, i wouldnt be surprised if he is guilty of being a prick and stupid kid who is angry not being able to live up to his dad’s status. probably a spoiled loser who thinks he is cool cause he walked on the team.
so far, leach looks innocent. that shed was a place where players on their own would hang out to get away sometimes. way overrated.
players/kids these days are so talented, but so soft and have a sense of entitlement. what a bunch of babies they are, in this case, james. grow a pair and shut up you brat.
as for the knight family, they have some issues.
2:06 pm on January 6th, 2010
If Pat Knights not at Texas Tech does anybody give a f*** what their b-ball coach said after a loss.