Former Tech Coach Knight Lands at Lamar

Former Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball Head Coach Pat Knight has been hired by Lamar University to take over their basketball program.

During his introductory press conference Knight mentioned one of the goals of Lamar's athletics program is to move to a higher level conference, like the WAC.

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From LamarCardinals.com

April 5, 2011

BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University will begin a new era in its men's basketball program with the naming of Pat Knight as its head coach, announced Director of Athletics Larry Tidwell on Tuesday.

Knight comes to Lamar after 10 seasons at Texas Tech, including the final three plus years as head coach. Named head coach designate at Tech prior to the 2005-06 season, Knight took over for his Hall-of-Fame father Bob Knight toward the end of the 2007-08 season.

"It's an honor and a dream come true to be the head coach at Lamar University," Knight said. "It's an opportunity to build my own program and hopefully establish my own legacy in college basketball."

In three plus seasons as head coach of the Red Raiders, Knight compiled a 50-61 record. His 2009-10 squad posted a 19-16 overall record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the postseason National Invitation Tournament before falling at Mississippi in double overtime.

"After a very thorough search across the entire country, we have found the perfect fit for Lamar University in Pat Knight," Tidwell said. "Pat will be extremely important to Lamar University not only on the court, but throughout the community."

Knight, who becomes the 10th person to coach Lamar since the university became a four-year institution in 1951, guided the Red Raiders to an 83-80 win over fifth-ranked Texas in just his eighth game as a head coach, while his first victory on the college level came against No. 18 Kansas State five games earlier. The Red Raiders were a solid 40-20 (.667) at United Spirit Arena under Knight.

Knight takes over for Steve Roccaforte who was relieved of his duties after five seasons and a 76-78 record.

Knight is familiar with the Montagne Center, having played the Cardinals in Beaumont during the 2008-09 season. Lamar picked up an 85-79 win in the game. The Cardinals and Red Raiders also met during the 2007-08 season and the 2009-10 season in Lubbock with Tech winning both games.

Knight served for nearly seven years as an assistant at Tech under his father which included four trips to the NCAA Tournament and a run to the Sweet 16 in 2005. Texas Tech enjoyed five 20-win seasons during Knight's tenure as an assistant.

Knight's professional career began as a scout and administrative assistant with the NBA's Phoenix Suns after his four-year playing career at Indiana. In 1997, Knight became an assistant coach with the Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball Association.

In 1998, Knight became a head coach for the first time, guiding the Wisconsin Blast of the International Basketball Association to a 19-15 record.

Knight began his college coaching career at his alma mater as an assistant for two seasons from 1998-2000. The Hoosiers were 43-20 during that time and played in the NCAA Tournament both years. Knight then spent one season as an assistant at Akron before moving to Texas Tech.

A four-year letterwinner for the Hoosiers from 1991-95, Knight graduated in 1995 with a degree in sports management. During his playing days, Indiana appeared in the NCAA Tournament every season and advanced to the Elite Eight in 1993.

Knight and the former Amanda Shaw were married on May 10, 2002.

LAMAR