Report: NAIA basketball program Marian to hire Pat Knight

Field Level Media|published: Tue 7th May, 16:47 2024

Mar 24, 2024; Spokane, WA, USA; A ball foes through the hoop in the second half between the Yale Bulldogs and the San Diego State Aztecs at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. credits: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Knight, the son of the late Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight, is expected to be named the next men's basketball coach at Marian, On3 reported.

Marian, an NAIA program in Indianapolis, has been looking for a new coach since Scott Heady resigned April 3 after he was hired as head coach at the University of Indianapolis.

And the school — with the apt nickname of the Knights — apparently found that replacement in Knight.

The 53-year-old previously led Texas Tech (2007-11) to a 50-61 record, succeeding his father, who abruptly retired in the 2007-08 season. Pat Knight later coached Lamar (2011-14) to a 29-62 record. Since leaving Lamar, he has been a scout for the Indiana Pacers.

The athletic director at Marian, Steve Downing, has deep ties to the Knight family. As a senior, he played on Bob Knight's 1972-73 Indiana team that lost to UCLA in one semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. He went on to serve in high-ranking positions in the athletic departments of both Indiana and Texas Tech.

Bob Knight, who coached Army (1965-71), Indiana (1971-2000) and Texas Tech (2000-08) and won three NCAA championships with the Hoosiers, died last November at age 83.

—Field Level Media