Indiana Announces Plans for Bob Knight Statue

Statue to be displayed at Assembly Hall, honoring legendary coach's legacy

Feb. 9, 2026 at 9:15pm

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Indiana University has announced plans to commission and install a permanent bronze statue of legendary basketball coach Bob Knight. The statue will be prominently displayed alongside the 1976 National Championship statues in the south lobby of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, the facility that opened in Knight's first year in Bloomington in 1971.

Why it matters

Bob Knight's 29-year tenure as Indiana's head coach transformed the program into a perennial national powerhouse, winning three NCAA championships and 11 Big Ten titles. The statue will serve as a lasting tribute to Knight's immense impact on the university and the sport of basketball.

The details

Under Knight's guidance from 1971-2000, Indiana secured three NCAA National Championships (1976, 1981, and 1987), an NIT title in 1979, and 11 Big Ten Conference regular-season titles. Most notably, he led the 1975-76 squad to a perfect 32-0 season, a feat that remains the last undefeated championship in men's Division I basketball. Knight compiled a 662-239 record at Indiana, and his 902 career coaching victories rank sixth in college basketball history.

  • The statue plans were announced during the halftime of the Indiana and Oregon game, in which they honored the 1975-76 National Championship team.
  • Bob Knight passed away in 2023.

The players

Bob Knight

A Hall of Fame head coach who led the Indiana Hoosiers to three NCAA championships and 11 Big Ten titles during his 29-year tenure.

Scott Dolson

IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, who started his career as a student manager under Coach Knight.

Brian Hanlon

The artist from Hanlon Studios who will design and fabricate the Bob Knight statue.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Knight's influence on the game of basketball is immeasurable, but his impact on this university and Hoosier basketball fans is even deeper.”

— Scott Dolson, IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (on3.com)

What’s next

Further details regarding the project timeline for the Bob Knight statue will be released in the coming months.

The takeaway

The announcement of a permanent statue honoring Bob Knight's legendary career at Indiana University underscores the enduring impact he had on the program and the sport of college basketball. The statue will serve as a lasting tribute to Knight's unparalleled success and his transformative influence on the Hoosiers.