Knight Rally Attracts 2,500 Supporters

Coach Bob Knight remained noncommittal on his plans Thursday as support at Indiana University grew for him to stay.

Knight had been reported ready to take the basketball coaching job at the University of New Mexico, but Lobo officials, who had hoped to announce the name of a new coach by today, said negotiations likely will continue until next week.

Meanwhile, a crowd estimated at 2,500 held an afternoon rally at Indiana’s Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind., to show support for Knight--who has led the Hoosiers to three national championships--and to ask him to stay for an 18th season.

“I would hate to see Bob Knight go,” Gov. Robert D. Orr said from his Indianapolis office. “He is someone who is so closely identified with the state of Indiana, someone who really exhibits what it means to be a winning Hoosier--bright, tough, loyal, a little stubborn, confident.

“He is not perfect, but I’ve yet to meet anyone in 70 years who is.”

Knight, talking to reporters before speaking Thursday night at a sports banquet, indicated he had not made up his mind whether he would leave Bloomington.

“I have not made a decision like that since I’ve been at Indiana,” Knight said. “It’s time to make that kind of decision. It’s a personal decision. I’ll have to leave it at that. I’m not going to get into the whys or wherefores. I’ve got to make it in the next couple of days.”

Knight also said salary and other financial terms would make no difference in his decision.