Knight Apologizes For Temper

With his coaching future at Indiana University in jeopardy, Bob Knight apologized Saturday for his sometimes explosive temper and said he realizes he needs to be more diplomatic.

In a 330-word statement, Knight, 59, said he is working on trying to control his emotions.

"There are times when my passion for basketball led me into confrontations that I could have handled a lot better. I've always been too confrontational, especially when I know I'm right," Knight said in the statement.

Knight's temper has fueled one controversy after another since he became head coach in 1971. In his statement, he admitted he needed to develop a more diplomatic approach.

"I'm not very good at just forgetting something and going on, and I'm truly sorry about that," he said.

He made no mention of whether he would continue as coach.

While the statement's tone was apologetic, Knight said his temper was not a factor "in the investigated incident," a reference to allegations by former player Neil Reed that Knight choked him.

Reed's claim prompted university officials to begin an investigation into the incident. Once the investigation was announced, others came forward with stories of abusive behavior.

Knight's statement was released a day before the IU trustees were scheduled to meet in closed session amid speculation they will consider asking Knight to resign rather than force a showdown that could lead to his dismissal.

No major announcement was expected after Sunday's meeting. While trustees can meet privately to discuss personnel matters, they can take official action only in public meetings, which require 48 hours notice, excluding weekends.

Meanwhile, a university official denied a report Saturday in the Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, Ill., that IU President Myles Brand asked Knight to end his Caribbean vacation early and return for a Saturday meeting.

The newspaper reported that Brand could offer Knight a choice between resigning or going through a lengthy public battle over his future with the Hoosiers basketball program.

IU vice president Christopher Simpson, a spokesman for Brand, said there was no meeting scheduled Saturday between Knight and Brand. "I know that for a fact," Simpson said.

Todd Starowitz, a spokesman for IU's basketball program, said Knight was expected to return Saturday evening from his Caribbean vacation. He declined comment on whether Knight would meet with Brand.

Indiana's top high school recruit, Jared Jeffries, on Saturday joined the list of Indiana players threatening to leave the program if Knight is forced out. Jeffries' mother, Cecelia Jeffries, told The Associated Press that her son was frustrated that no one connected to the investigation asked his opinion.

"He wishes they'd come to him," Cecelia Jeffries said. "If coach Knight left, he (Jared) would lok at his options and then possibly just stay there for a year and then move on."

She said Knight was one of the main reasons her son chose Indiana.

"He wanted the strictness and the discipline," she said. "We are quite fond of coach Knight. He's a good man. I'll always believe that."

About 10 Knight supporters gathered Saturday in the parking lot of the Hoosiers' home venue, Assembly Hall. A larger rally had been proposed on an Internet forum, but it didn't come together.

Gary Reed, one of the organizers of a larger pro-Knight rally held shortly after the choking allegations surfaced, said he was encouraged by Knight's statement.

"He does want everyone to know he's trying," Reed said. "He wants to stay a coach. He's got some good kids coming in, and he wants to win a championship."

Debbie Dyson, an avid Knight fan from Indianapolis, said she's confident Knight will continue coaching.

Phil Pursell of Crawfordsville, Ind., showed up Saturday in front of IU's Assembly Hall to support coach Bob Knight.(AP)

"He should have taken temper-control classes 30 years ago," she said, sighing. "But 30 years ago, they probably didn't have them."

Brand has given three IU trustees 90 days to complete their investigation. Simpson said they are expected to finish well before the June 20 deadline. Knight's contract with the university gives Brand the power to fire him if such action is recommended by the athletic director.

Since the investigation began in March, there have been reports Knight once kicked Brand out of a practice and also showed players a piece of soiled toilet paper, saying that was what their practice resembled.

More recently, reports have surfaced of fights involving Knight and a former assistant coach, the athletic director and the university's sports information director. A secretary in the athletic department this week said an enraged Knight once threw a vase in her direction and more recently stormed into a waiting area, swore and came toward her in anger before athletic director Clarence Doninger restrained him.

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