January 2, 2007 in Sports

Red Raiders give Knight 880th win

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Associated Press photo

Doing it his way, Texas Tech’s Bob Knight is college basketball’s winningest D-I men’s coach.
(Full-size photo)

LUBBOCK, Texas – Bob Knight won 880 games doing things his way. And he sure celebrated it his way.

Long appreciated for his strategy and long questioned for his methods, Knight added the crowning achievement to his Hall of Fame career by becoming the leader in Division I men’s basketball victories when Texas Tech beat New Mexico 70-68 on Monday.

Having finally reached the pinnacle he’s long insisted didn’t matter, Knight proved otherwise by soaking in every moment of the party that followed – especially the soundtrack.

“I’ve always thought that if there’s ever an occasion for a song to be played on my behalf, I wanted it to be Frank Sinatra singing ‘My Way,’ ” said Knight, whose usually glaring facade showed hints of cracking in an outpouring of emotions.

Knight has been a college coach for 41 of his 66 years. He broke in at Army and made his mark by winning three national titles in 29 years at Indiana before being fired and resurfacing here.

The first person to congratulate him was his son and successor-to-be, Pat.

Knight’s career record is 880-354, one more win than North Carolina legend Dean Smith. Knight recently agreed to a contract extension through the 2010-11 season.

Tennessee women’s coach Pat Summitt has won the most NCAA games, 925; and Harry Statham of NAIA McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill., has won the most men’s games at a four-year college, 925.

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