Bob Knight, the legendary IU basketball coach, has died at 83 years old. His death was announced in a statement on his website Wednesday night.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family,” Knight’s family said. “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and we appreciate the continued respect for our privacy…” 

Knight had been battling health issues in recent years, but no cause of death has been released.

As tributes pour in from across the campus and across social media, people can’t help but remember the fiery, brilliant, and polarizing coach. 

Shortly after the news was announced, IU Newsnet spoke to Bloomington journalist Bob Hammel. Hammel, who authored several well-known books about Knight’s methods, leadership, and philosophy, was also a close friend of Knight.

Hammel said he remembers Knight for his willingness to show up for fans and for his contributions to basketball in Indiana, and around the country.

Bob Knight was much more than just a coach to his teams and to generations of IU fans and graduates.

He was the general.

Tributes poured in from Bloomington and all over the country. 

IU men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson reflected on knowing Knight on the Big 10 network Thursday.

“I spent 46 years of my life with the man who basically shaped my career, as a player and as a coach,” said Woodson. “And as a man… he’s going to be missed, man. And I mean, when you think of all the things he’s done here in Indiana, make no mistake about it. Indiana basketball will always be Bob Knight.”

Bloomington musician Hank Ruff posted a song inspired by Knight to his Instagram Friday, along with the caption: “Stayed up all night writin’ some new songs, but Coach Knight kept running through my head. I wasn’t old enough to remember Coach Knight directly, but man did he have an impact on the way I grew up playing basketball here in Southern Indiana. RIP Coach Knight.”

But Knight’s legacy spread far from the Indiana University community. Comedian Adam Sandler reflected on his time spent with Knight during his cameo in the 2003 comedy Anger Management.

“Sending love to coach’s family,” Sandler said on X. “Won’t ever forget how much fun we had together making Anger Management. And won’t ever forget my pop being sick and Bobby calling him to lift his spirits. RIP Bobby”

In tribute to Knight, Indiana basketball will be wearing RMK patches on their uniforms to commemorate Robert Montgomery Knight for the duration of the season. 

Knight arrived at IU in 1971 after six seasons as the head coach at the United States Military Academy. Under his leadership the Hoosiers won three NCAA championships with an undefeated season in 1976, and eleven Big 10 titles.

After twenty-nine years with IU, Knight was fired in 2000 by the university after breaking a zero-tolerance policy for violence against a student. He then went on to coach at Texas Tech from 2001-2008, before retiring. He retired with 902 wins, the most from an NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball coach at the time of his retirement.

After an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show in 2017, Knight said he had no interest in ever returning to Indiana University. 

But on February 8, 2019, his health declining but his spirit elevated, the legend returned to Assembly Hall, to a roaring crowd of fans and former players. The General, back on the battlefield.