Thursday, February 21, 2008

Is it too early to talk about a Knight return at Indiana!?


I was going to post about this weeks ago when the Sampson scandal first reared it's ugly head. But it wasn't until today that it was definite that Sampson wouldn't be coaching any more...at Indiana at least. With Knight's recent resignation...not retirement...from Texas Tech, it would make sense for a Knight return 8 years after his disgraceful departure from the program he built.

Currently, Sampson is being replaced by Dan Dakich. A Sampson assistant, an Indiana grad and former coach of Bowling Green where he became the 10th winningest coach in MAC history. He's a good coach and well suited to take the helm of Indiana and at the age of 46 could be a long term solution for Indiana. But Knight is Knight...and in his older age seems to have mellowed a bit and may not be the tyrant he once was in the castle he once occupied. I say, let the man coach a season or two and give Dakich a future commitment - as has been the trend in college coaching as of late (reference Knight's son). What coach wouldn't want to learn under the tutelage of the all time winngest coach in college basketball history?

Furthermore, as most analysts said when Knight resigned, it would take a big stage and a big program to make him coach again. How about the #15 ranked Indiana Hoosiers!? Not to mention the young talent they have in freshman Eric Gordon and sophomore Armand Bassett and incoming freshman swingman Devin Ebanks. Sounds like a story book ending to a story book career.

Only question is can Bob Knight and IU bury the hatchet?

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