Me & Bobby Knight

A Cup of Coffee & Lessons on Leadership  

Possibly one of the shortest interviews of my journalism career, led me to understand and respect the legendary Indiana basketball coach. A morning phone call I will never forget. And one Coach Bobby Knight probably forgot after hanging up.

At the time I was doing a feature story on historic coach and Kentucky Athletic director C.M. Newton. An accomplished man who was a member of our fraternity (SAE) and was responsible for integrating the SEC Conference in 1969. Someone I would call a southern gentleman and a true gentleman. I was always looking for angles and perspectives to improve my feature stories, an insight never highlighted, a life perspective never shared or friends or family who could provide context to an individual’s success and life story. 

C.M. Newton worked with Bobby Knight and North Carolina coach Dean Smith on the 1984 men’s Olympic basketball team that included the likes of Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Steve Alford. I faxed both Coach Knight and Coach Smith interview requests. I shared I was highlighting C.M. Newton and knew they were friends and peers and would value any insights of him as a leader, a friend and a coach. I preferred to speak with either of them prior to my trip to Lexington and Rupp Arena. Unfortunately, that would not be the case.  

I traveled to Lexington {Kentucky} homecoming weekend, the town was a buzz for the football game which was also parlayed with midnight madness for the mighty Kentucky Wildcats. I spent a good hour with C.M. in his office, players and coaches peeking in for a minute here and a minute there; assuming I was possibly with Sports Illustrated or ESPN the Magazine, on this day it was The Record of SAE. The interview was a success. Our local hosts and distinguished alumni would take us to the horse races at Keeneland and we were special guests of W.T. Young - a proud member of SAE and Mr. Kentucky. We were treated like royalty, enjoyed the Bourbon (Makers Mark) bread pudding, as well as a chance meeting with renowned trainer D. Wayne Lukas in our suite. A weekend to remember. One for the books. A bucket list experience for many. For me it was work. And work that I enjoyed. 

I would return to my office in Evanston to find a letter in my mailbox, from the University of Indiana basketball department, signed by no other than Coach Knight. “Chris, sorry for the delayed response in getting back to you, C.M. Newton is a fine man and a dear friend, I would be happy to speak anytime.” Wow. A unique and potentially once in a lifetime opportunity to interview Coach Bobby Knight. I took a day or two to process and write the initial draft of the C.M. Newton feature story. 

I would call Coach Knight Friday morning, bright and early. I had my notes and questions ready; desk was arranged perfectly for the interview and my coffee was hot. I called Bloomington at 9 am. His executive assistant answered and said please hold. I was unsure of what was to follow and waited for a minute (which felt like 30). A voice comes on the phone, What do you want? in a heavy and gruff tone. I almost spilled my coffee all over my desk. Took a deep breath, maybe two and stammered out…it is Chris Mundy with The Record magazine calling about C.M. Newton. A long pause. At this point Coach Knight has me on my heels, I am flustered and uncertain if I will get to ask any questions at all. The article (I thought) will have to do with what I have. “Oh... Chris, how are you, I am happy to share some stories about C.M.” Insert huge sigh of relief. We spoke for probably five minutes. Coach Knight gave me context and perspective I needed for the story. A big name that could validate many of Coach Newton’s grand accomplishments. 

In looking back, I am not surprised this was Coach Knights approach or demeanor. It is who he is. Most likely with everyone. Strong. Demanding. Opinionated. And principled. I actually respect Coach Knight and think we may need a few more coaches like him in today’s sporting world. While I may have played for a coach with some Bobby Knight tendencies back in the day, I don’t think his intentions or pedigree were as pure. A superior athlete demands the most from himself, mentally and physically as well as those players around him. The rest of us need a Coach Knight. While many have and will critique and fault his style, delivery and bed-side manner, the majority of his players understood his method to the madness. When given the choice of the honey or the stick, it was always going to be the stick with Coach Knight. I think surrounding himself with the likes of C.M. Newton, Dean Smith and others, was his attempt to balance his leadership style. The Bobby Knight coaching tree includes the likes of Mike Krzyzweski (Duke), Mike Davis (Univ. of Detroit) and Chris Beard (Texas Tech) to name just a few.

The experience was a true honor and privilege to interview both men. Legends for their impact on the sport of basketball and remembered for their different leadership styles. Their impact on the sport and the many men that played for them. Men that sat on their benches, knew their temperament and knew their control of the locker room. These players know success comes from motivation, execution and discipline. Sometimes from within. Sometimes from your coach.