Knight matched Dean Smith's record of 879 victories when Texas Tech beat Bucknell 72-60 on Saturday.
Knight's first chance to own the top spot all by his sweater-wearing self comes Thursday night at home against UNLV.
“Any time a coach is given an award or honor the great thing about it is that it recognizes everyone involved - the players, the assistant coaches,” Knight said. “I know that Dean Smith felt exactly the same way because he epitomized what coaching is all about.”
Already a Hall of Famer, Knight now has a share of the record some believe drove him back to coaching after being fired by Indiana after 29 years, three national titles and one too many run-ins with players, bosses and fans. Since resurfacing in 2001 at this West Texas school in the heart of football country, “The General” hasn't changed much.
He's still fiery, as evidenced by him jerking up a player's chin earlier this season. He still runs a motion offense and tight man-to-man defense. And he's still winning: a 115-64 record with three trips to the NCAA tournament in five full seasons at a school that went twice the previous 15 years.
About all that's changed is the color of his sweater (black, instead of Hoosiers red) and the importance of the milestones, none bigger than this one, no matter how much Knight has tried to downplay it.
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