b/c Texas Tech did not perform at a level Bobby Knight found to be acceptable, he will give back his salary for the year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press LUBBOCK, Texas -- Bob Knight told Texas Tech he wouldn't accept his $250,000 coaching salary this year because his team failed to live up to his expectations -- and so did he. "He has standards,'' Texas Tech men's basketball spokesman Randy Farley said Monday. "He just didn't meet his standards, and so he said, 'I don't think I should be paid for that.''' Tech (16-11, 6-10 Big 12) is the No. 7 seed in the Big 12 conference tournament in Dallas and plays Baylor on Thursday night. "I'm just not at all satisfied with what transpired with our team in terms of our fundamental execution,'' Knight told The Dallas Morning News for its online edition. "I don't think it's anybody's fault but mine. "You heard me talk after games all season long about missed opportunities and how we didn't see things. Those are things that have got to be taught. Learning those things is just as much a responsibility of the teacher as the ones learning those things,'' he was quoted as saying. Last season, Knight led the team to a 23-9 record and to the NCAA tournament. Before his arrival in March 2001, Tech hadn't had a winning season in four years. This year could be Knight's first without 20 wins since 1995, when Indiana went 19-12. Tech will probably need to win the conference tournament to make the NCAA field for the second straight year. Knight has said his team would accept an NIT bid if offered. In his 29 years at Indiana, Knight won three NCAA national championships and had just seven seasons in which his teams failed to win 20 games. His five-year contract is worth $4.5 million. He makes $250,000 in base pay, $150,000 in deferred annual income and $500,000 in guaranteed outside income through May 2006. Knight told Tech athletic director Gerald Myers last week he was planning on giving up his salary this season. Myers said he tried to dissuade Knight, "But he was set. This is what he made up his mind to do.'' "I think he's too hard on himself,'' Myers said. "I think he's done a great job these last two years, all the things he's done for this program, this university. There's no question that he earns his salary and more every day.'' Myers said it has not yet been determined what will be done with the money. "I think he's too hard on himself,'' Myers said. "I think he's done a great job these last two years, all the things he's done for this program, this university. There's no question that he earns his salary and more every day.''
My candidate for Mayor of Houston, Michael Berry, has vowed to deny his salary if elected. Pretty ballsy. Everyone vote for this guy. He's a stud.
Gotta love that! The big 12 was too damn tough this year, but I thought for sure we would get a bid to the tourney. If we were in the Pac 10 or something we win 20+ games with ease..... Im still hoping for the best in the Big 12 championship, but I think its wishful thinking at best....
Eh, if he didn't have his best selling book and speaking tour, not to mention years of making hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars, he wouldn't do this. Just another publicity stunt for the egomaniac.
It wasnt the big 12 Drew. Tech outside of Emmett has no prime talent. They played above their heads last year. This year they came back down to earth.
Even if its just a publicity stunt at least it is positive. It been a while sine Knigh has had any positive press outside of his coaching ability.
Bobby is not some one I would bet against, but as you said, this tourney is going to be a b!tch. I am happy he is in the state, though I may not agree with everything he has done, but I respect the man. I would want my son to play for a man like that b/c I know when he was done, I could expect him to a) have his education despite being an athlete b) be as disciplined as he is in my home.
Can you name any other players/coaches that have pulled this "publicity stunt"? $250k is $250k, I doubt you'll find anyone that's willing to forfeit that cash for the sake of a publicity stunt...
You are right. Now that I think of it. They really didnt have a good supporting cast for Emmett at all this year. Knights teams are usually full of overachievers, which is why he doesnt have to have the best talent to win. I think next year we will have a really good team coming together. Still a lot of young guys.....
Yeah I had some serious mixed feelings about him coming to Tech last year, but I guess everyone is entitled to a clean slate. As long as he doesnt lose his cool and do something to tarnish the image of Texas Tech, I will support him.
I'll believe it when I see he actually sends a check back to the university for the salary collected thus far. Anyone can SAY they don't deserve their salary and want to return it... but how many actually do?
Texas Tech was 10-1 in non-conference play so I would say that the Big 12 had alot to do with the poor year. That said they still shouldn't have lost to K. State, Baylor, or a n m.
