Bob Knight Confirms Interest in Georgia

There was a hefty dose of speculation yesterday that Bob Knight had interest in the now vacant head coaching position at the University of Georgia.

And today, on ESPN radio, Knight spoke with Mike Tirico and Scott Van Pelt, presumably to dismiss those rumors; instead, Knight indicated exactly why they have legs. He later followed that up by mentioning his interest in returning to coaching during the Tennessee-Oklahoma women's game.

"It has to be a situation that I think is right for me and one where I would be right for the university," Knight told ESPN Radio. "It has to be one, from my standpoint, where I think we would have the wherewithal to recruit and be able to compete with anybody."

His name has been linked to the opening at Georgia, but Knight, who resigned as Texas Tech coach almost one year ago, said he has had no contact with Georgia.

To me this sounds like he's basically telling Georgia he would take the job; otherwise, wouldn't Knight just flatly deny the rumors?

Unless of course you don't think that Georgia is wide freaking open to becoming much better in basketball, which would be silly of you, because they are. There's plenty of available recruiting, the school has the budget and name value to be successful, and the SEC isn't exactly in a dominant state at the moment.

The biggest bonus of Knight possibly getting hired by the Bulldogs? Dick Vitale said he'd quit his job as an announcer to go be Knight's assistant ... or chauffeur. Please, Coach Knight: just help us all out and call his bluff.

Latest College Basketball Photos

Baylor coach Scott Drew instructs players from the bench in second half action of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 in Waco, Texas. Kansas won 75-65. (AP Photo/Duane A. Laverty)

Kansas forward Marcus Morris (22) leaps off the bench as he celebrates a scoring play in second half action of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 in Waco, Texas. Kansas won 75-65. (AP Photo/Duane A. Laverty)

Kansas guard Sherron Collins (4) and Baylor guard Curtis Jerrells (0) collide as Jerrells goes to the hoop in second half action of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 in Waco, Texas. Kansas won 75-65. (AP Photo/Duane A. Laverty)

Baylor forward Kevin Rogers (23) looks for a way around Kansas center Cole Aldrich (45) in second half action of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 in Waco, Texas. Kansas won 75-65. (AP Photo/Duane A. Laverty)

Kansas guard Sherron Collins (4) looks for a chance to pass as Baylor guard Henry Dugat (5) covers in second half action of an NCAA college basketball game Monday Feb. 2, 2009 in Waco, Texas. Kansas won 75-65. (AP Photo/Duane A. Laverty)

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 02: Jeff Adrien #4 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals on February 2, 2009 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Adrien

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LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 02: Earl Clark #5 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Connecticut Huskies on February 2, 2009 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Earl Clark

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LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 02: A.J. Price #12 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals on February 2, 2009 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** A.J. Price

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LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 02: Hasheem Thabeet #34 of the Connecticut Huskies dunks the ball while defended by Terrence Jennings #23 of the Louisville Cardinals during the Big East Conference game against on February 2, 2009 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hasheem Thabeet;Terrence Jennings

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LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 02: Gavin Edwards #33 of the Connecticut Huskies and Samardo Samuels #24 of the Louisville Cardinals reach for a rebound during the Big East Conference game against on February 2, 2009 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gavin Edwards;Samardo Samuels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-02-2009 @ 10:21PM

aaronbrittnie said...

I would become a bulldog fan

2-02-2009 @ 10:42PM

GO DAWGS!!!!! said...

Please hire him!
I want you all to know,that Michael Adams the president of the university will not let this happen.

2-03-2009 @ 10:33AM

Jamie said...

Michael Adams, Damon Evans... PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!! It's time to hire a quality coach to bring this Dawgs team up to a level they should be! If you have a legendary, talented coach showing interest, and we have the budget to pay him, please make it happen!!! Go Dawgs!

2-03-2009 @ 3:00PM

jadamsking said...

The General in Georgia? Why not.... I'm a UK fan and I love what he does. He takes no crap from the guys that come in the league with their mcdonalds attitude. Look at UT they have no disipline at all NONE Headbands think The general will let them wear those headbands

2-03-2009 @ 3:05PM

Think it would be a better hire than Auburn made in football? Knight doesn't need the money but I sure would love to see him win enough games to stay the all time winnest men's coach. If Knight would have had Dean Smith's talent how many championships would he have won? Smith won 2, Sleepy Floyd gave Worthy the ball and Chris Webber called a timeout he didn't have is that great coaching or what?

2-03-2009 @ 4:58PM

red123152 said...

Hire him, Georgia! I live in middle TN and would buy season tickets today.

2-03-2009 @ 5:14PM

charlescamper4 said...

I am a big big big Bobby fan from Indiana I followed him at Texas Tech and I would love to see him at Georgia . Hey he must have a thing for red !!!! I think he is the greatest coach ever to coach college bball.

3-13-2009 @ 3:26PM

ucjk7 said...

Coach Bobby Knight needs to come to Kentucky and return us to our throne as best in the country year in and year out. Losing to LS-Who in the 2nd round of the SEC tourney, being a #4 seed in the EAST ALONE, having more than 10 losses, not making the tourney, and most of all, not taking care of business at home against the LAST PLACE team in the SEC ON SENIOR NIGHT is NOT acceptable at Kentucky. PLEASE Bobby Knight, come to Kentucky. Billy G is done here, i can bet money on that.

3-20-2009 @ 10:46PM

buckmasteraess said...

Bobby Knight needs to come back to Indiana or I would like to see him go to kentucky.Just like pitino did left kentucky went to NBA then he went to louisville that would interesting.