Fined and suspended, Knight to stay as Indiana coach

by Steve Wilstein
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana coach Bob Knight was given "one last chance'' yesterday to keep his job and control his famous temper.

He was slapped with a suspension, fined and made to apologize in a deal he struck with the university following an investigation into whether he choked a former player.

Any act that violates a supervised "zero-tolerance policy'' or is deemed to be embarrassing to the university will result in his immediate dismissal, said university president Myles Brand.

Knight's longtime "pattern of inappropriate behavior - cannot and will not be tolerated,'' Brand said.

Knight must sit out three regular-season games next season, pay a $30,000 fine and issue an apology to the athletic department secretary he berated and threatened in two incidents.

The seven-week investigation followed accusations by former player Neil Reed, who said Knight choked him during a 1997 practice that was caught on videotape. During the inquiry, other accusations of verbal and physical abuse emerged.

Knight, who has won three national championships in his 29 years at the school, did not attend the news conference. But trustee John Walda read a statement in which Knight said: "I recognize I have a problem with my temper - I am sincerely sorry.''

Walda said the inquiry, which included interviews with 29 people and help from a private investigator and a videotape expert, did not conclude that Reed was choked.

But Walda said that Knight clearly grabbed Reed by the neck, and that in itself was wrong.

Athletic director Clarence Doninger, who was involved in a fight with Knight after a loss to Ohio State in February, expressed skepticism the coach will be able to change his behavior. Doninger also said he was annoyed that he had not been included in the decision-making process.

Some faculty also was skeptical that Knight will change.

"It's going to continue and continue,'' said English professor Murray Sperber, an outspoken critic of Knight. "This is a horrible hit for the image of the university.''

Yet Brand felt that it was important to allow the 59-year-old coach to return.

"I think the ethical approach is to give him one last chance,'' he said.

"He has given me his word that he will take extraordinary steps to change behavior. We have established tough, specific guidelines to send a clear message that abusive and embarrassing behavior will not be tolerated.''

Brand detailed the sanctions one day after trustees met in private to discuss their investigation into Knight's behavior. The trustees then turned over Knight's fate to Brand.

"There are no sacred cows at Indiana University and that certainly includes the basketball program,'' Walda said.

Brand said he met with Knight on Saturday to discuss his future, then met with him again before making a decision.

"The conversation I had with Bob was clearly unique,'' he said. "I had never seen him before contrite and apologetic.''

He said he had considered firing Knight.

"As the discussion proceeded and Bob expressed the view that he very much wanted to change his behavior - then we began to talk about sanctions,'' Brand said.

On Saturday, the day before the trustees' meeting, Knight issued a statement in which he first apologized for his temper and acknowledged he needs to be "more diplomatic.'' He did not apologize to individuals or for specific episodes.