Indiana to Honor Legendary Coach Bob Knight with Statue

The statue will stand next to one honoring Knight's 1976 undefeated national championship team.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 11:15pm

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Indiana University Athletics has announced plans to erect a statue honoring former men's basketball coach Bob Knight, who won three national titles during his 29-year tenure in Bloomington. The statue will be displayed alongside the 1976 national championship statues in the south lobby of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, commemorating Knight's first title-winning squad that remains the most recent undefeated Division I men's basketball team.

Why it matters

Bob Knight is one of the most successful and influential coaches in college basketball history, leading the Hoosiers to unprecedented success. The statue will serve as a lasting tribute to his legacy and the indelible mark he left on Indiana University and the sport of basketball.

The details

Knight posted a 662-339 record during his time at Indiana, which included two more national titles (in 1981 and 1987), five Final Four appearances, and 24 NCAA Tournament appearances. He is a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, the National College Basketball Hall of Fame, and the IU Athletics Hall of Fame.

  • In September 2000, Knight was relieved of his duties at Indiana after violating a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding his behavior.
  • Knight returned to Assembly Hall in February 2020 to honor the 1980 Big Ten championship team, receiving a thunderous ovation from fans.
  • Knight passed away in 2023 at the age of 83.

The players

Bob Knight

Legendary former head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team, who won three national championships and is a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Scott Dolson

IU vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, who praised Knight's unparalleled standard of excellence and impact on the university and Hoosier basketball fans.

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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 (cbssports.com)

“Well, I think that I've always really enjoyed the fans, and I always will. On my dying day, I will think about how great the fans at Indiana were. As far as the hierarchy at Indiana University at that time, I have absolutely no respect whatsoever with those people. That in mind, I have no interest in ever going back to that university.”

— Bob Knight (Dan Patrick Show)

What’s next

The statue is expected to be unveiled at a ceremony honoring the 1976 national championship team later this year.

The takeaway

The announcement of a statue honoring Bob Knight's legacy at Indiana University is a testament to his enduring impact on the program and the sport of college basketball. Despite the tumultuous end to his tenure, the school is recognizing Knight's unparalleled success and influence, ensuring his legacy will be celebrated for generations to come.