What Happened to Patrick Clair Knight?
Pat Knight, son of legendary basketball coach Bob Knight, has had a diverse career in basketball as a player, assistant coach, head coach at the NCAA Division I and NAIA levels, and an NBA scout. Most recently, he resigned as the head men's basketball coach at Marian University in February 2026, citing administrative interference, and has expressed his intention to return to NBA scouting.
Quick Answer
Pat Knight resigned as the head men's basketball coach at Marian University on February 2, 2026, after refusing an administrative demand to fire a staff member. He had coached the NAIA program since May 2024, compiling a 16-34 record. Knight, who previously spent a decade as a scout for the Indiana Pacers, has stated he is 'done with coaching' due to the politics and grind, and plans to pursue a return to NBA scouting.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Plays College Basketball at Indiana University
Pat Knight plays for the Indiana Hoosiers under his father, Bob Knight, lettering for four seasons and participating in a Final Four run in 1992.
Begins Coaching Career with Phoenix Suns
Knight starts his coaching career as an administrative assistant and scout for the NBA's Phoenix Suns.
Head Coach of Wisconsin Blast
Serves as head coach for the Wisconsin Blast of the International Basketball Association, his first head coaching role.
Assistant Coach at Indiana University
Joins his father's staff as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Indiana University.
Assistant/Associate Head Coach at Texas Tech
Works as an assistant and later associate head coach under his father at Texas Tech University.
Named Head Coach of Texas Tech
Succeeds his father, Bob Knight, as the head men's basketball coach at Texas Tech University.
Fired from Texas Tech
Is fired as head coach of Texas Tech after compiling a 50-61 record over three full seasons.
Hired as Head Coach of Lamar University
Accepts the head coaching position at Lamar University.
Leads Lamar to NCAA Tournament
In his first season, he leads Lamar to a Southland Conference tournament championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament First Four.
Fired from Lamar University
Is fired from Lamar University after three seasons, with a record of 29-62.
Serves as NBA Scout for Indiana Pacers
Spends a decade as a West Coast college scout for the Indiana Pacers.
Named Head Coach of Marian University
Returns to coaching as the 10th head men's basketball coach for Marian University, an NAIA program in Indianapolis.
Resigns from Marian University
Resigns as head coach of Marian University, citing administrative interference and a refusal to fire an assistant coach. He finishes with a 16-34 record.
Expresses Desire to Return to NBA Scouting
In interviews following his resignation, Knight states he is "done with coaching" and plans to return to NBA scouting, a role he previously enjoyed.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Patrick Clair Knight, born on September 21, 1970, carved out his own path in basketball, initially playing for his father, Bob Knight, at Indiana University from 1990 to 1995. He lettered for four seasons with the Hoosiers, contributing to teams that made five NCAA appearances, including a Final Four run in 1992 and a Big Ten title in 1993.
After his playing career, Knight transitioned into coaching and scouting. His early professional roles included an administrative assistant and scout for the NBA's Phoenix Suns, and assistant coaching stints in the CBA and IBA. He then joined his father's staff as an assistant coach at Indiana and later at Texas Tech. In February 2008, Pat Knight succeeded his father as the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, a position he held until 2011, achieving a 50-61 record. He then took over as head coach at Lamar University in 2011, leading the Cardinals to a Southland Conference tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season, before being fired in 2014 with an overall record of 29-62 at Lamar.
Following his departure from Lamar, Knight spent a decade (2014-2024) as a West Coast college scout for the NBA's Indiana Pacers, a role he reportedly enjoyed. However, in May 2024, he returned to the coaching ranks, accepting the head men's basketball coach position at Marian University, an NAIA school in Indianapolis. His tenure at Marian was short-lived, as he resigned on February 2, 2026. Knight publicly stated that his resignation stemmed from administrative interference, specifically a demand to fire one of his assistant coaches, which he refused. He described the situation as a "bunch of red flags" and expressed frustration with the administration's handling of staff decisions without his consultation.
At the time of his resignation, Marian University had a 5-17 overall record and a 2-10 record in Crossroads League play for the 2025-2026 season, bringing his total record at Marian to 16-34. In interviews following his departure, Knight announced he was "done with coaching," feeling that the profession had "passed him by" due to its grind and politics. He reiterated his desire to return to NBA scouting, a role he found more aligned with his priorities. As of August 27, 2026, there have been no public announcements regarding his return to an NBA scouting position, but it remains his stated career objective.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Patrick Clair Knight made different choices?