Neil Reed, ex-Indiana player who coach Bob Knight was caught on tape choking, dies at 36

In this Jan. 6, 1996, file photo, Indiana head coach Bob Knight, right, talks with Neil Reed during an NCAA college basketball game against Ohio State at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. / AP Photo/The Herald-Times, File, David Snodgress

(AP) SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Neil Reed, the former Indiana basketball player who coach Bob Knight was caught on tape choking in 1997, has died after collapsing in his Central California home. He was 36.

Pioneer Valley High School Principal Shanda Herrera said Reed died Thursday morning of heart complications in Nipomo, Calif.

In March 2000, Reed accused Knight of choking him during a practice in 1997.

When video of the practice surfaced backing Reed's claim, the Hall of Fame coach, who was known for his temper as well as his success, was put on a zero-tolerance policy by then-Indiana University President Dr. Myles Brand.

That September, Knight, who became head coach at Indiana in 1971 and won three national championships, was fired after a student accused him of grabbing his arm.

"Believe it or not, I'm not happy that Indiana fired Coach Knight," Reed told ESPN The Magazine at the time. "I don't have any feelings about it, mostly because I've had to stand alone for so long. In a way, I've been proven right, but that doesn't make my life any easier."

Reed transferred to Southern Mississippi shortly after the incident at Indiana and played there in the 1998-99 season. He told the magazine he "fell out of love" with basketball.

"Maybe that was Coach Knight's fault and maybe it was partly my fault," he said. "But if I can handle what I've been through, then I know I can handle what lies ahead."

His coach at Southern Miss, James Green, called Reed a "winner" Thursday night.

"He did the things that it takes to win ball games," said Green, now the coach at Jacksonville State in Alabama. "He was good to coach. You knew he was going to go out and give his best."

Green worked with Reed's father, Terry, at Southern Miss and Iowa State.

"When something like that happens, it's like part of your family," Green said. "It's kind of like when you have children, you never expect them to be passing before you."

Herrera said Reed had worked at the Santa Maria school coaching football, basketball, golf and teaching physical education since 2007.

"The shock of the passing of Neil Reed and the sadness we feel for his wife, two daughters and entire family is overwhelming," Indiana coach Tom Crean posted on his Twitter account Thursday. "Tragic news."

Reed is survived by his wife, Kelly, and two daughters.

[calif7]

Any comments on Reed's passing from Coach Knight?

[Godsmack4]

Like BillyJoel said, only the good die young and Knight is not good.

[nohater]

it's not only coaches that cross the line. it can be anyone in a positon of authority over others such as a military drill instructor, a military officer, a corporate manager or executive and the list goes on and on. heck it can even be a parent. for sure, one or more negative experiences with anyone in authority and it derails someone who is just starting out in life.

[ObamaBlackRobinHood]

Once a Marine, always a Marine. They know everything but yet the scores required to be one don't back that up. All Bob's kids graduated and never had an incident with players off the court. Most of the parents of the kids there said that Bob was the best.

[nohater]

who was the marine? it's not in this article. read it twice.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Condolensces to Reed's loved ones.

To bad it wasn't Knight who passed. He's a scumbag.

He backed over a woman in PR while drunk and hopped the next flight to avoid prosecution.

Real scum.

[CaptainSmollett]

Very, very sad!

Unfortunately, Bob knight is not an isolated incident. There are too many coaches whose selfish will to win supercedes humane treatment of their athletes, so their behavior crosses the line of civility to abuse.