What Makes A Real Man?

Would you consider a guy who has led his teams to three NCAA championships, one National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship, eleven Big Ten Conference championships and over 900 wins a true coach, or even a real man. A guy who is one of three coaches to win the triple crown with an NCAA title, NIT title, and an Olympic gold medal? Maybe.

I honestly believe that "The General" was one of the sports most important figures let alone the most controversial. He was an ex coach for the United States Military Academy for crying out loud. I might just take a stern look or a military type personality to be the most successful coach in NCAA Div 1 history.

A real man could be described as a man who takes care of business and gets the job done by any means necessary. Or a man who demands respect but gives respect back. Maybe for a guy who is notorious for seemingly disrespecting others the goals that he sets for his players gets lost.

Bobby Knight was known for so many things that trump each other in a battle to define him. Perhaps what might be overlooked is a little thought about fact that Mr. Knight wasn't like other coaches in other aspect of the game. That fact is said best by Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports, "The coach who cheated the least won the most."

"That's about it. It really is. Plenty of your coaching "geniuses" are nothing more than smart recruiters eviscerating the NCAA rule book. But don't take my word for it."

So for a man that was most recognized for his eccentric coaching style or his hot head, it is hard to say that he shouldn't be noted as a true leader of the sport in a sense of honesty. By bringing in the unselfish prospects and refusing to give those players any promises other than becoming the best player they can be he proves to us all that he is a real man.