Coach Bobby Knight speaks via video on the final day of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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Hall of Fame men's basketball coach Bob Knight was the subject of an FBI investigation following allegations that he inappropriately touched four women both before and after a speech he delivered during a 2015 visit to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Washington Post reported.
Knight was accused of making suggestive comments, hugging a woman around the chest and hitting another on the buttocks following the speech in Northern Virginia. The 76-year-old denied any wrongdoing and federal prosecutors in Virginia decided against bringing charges in July 2016, Knight's attorney, James Voyles, told the newspaper.
The alleged incidents took place in July 2015 and the FBI and U.S. Army participated in the inquiry, according to the Washington Post.
The former Indiana, Texas Tech and Army coach was interviewed by FBI agents at his home in Montana as part of the investigation. He declined comment when reached by the Washington Post, but his wife, Karen, wrote in a text message that "Bob did nothing wrong and there is NO evidence to prove that he did. Case closed."
Voyles offered the following statement to the newspaper:
"There is absolutely no credible evidence to support this in our opinion, these allegations," Voyles said. "... (FBI agents) reported to their superiors that there was no basis for any further action, period."
Multiple witnesses alleged wrongdoing by Knight, according to the Washington Post.
Marc Byers, an employee at National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, reported to a supervisor that he saw Knight grope a woman's buttocks. Also, one woman who claimed Knight smacked her on the buttocks told the newspaper it was "weird" before comparing the former coach's behavior to that of "a drunk uncle."
Knight also worked for ESPN for seven seasons after a successful if volatile coaching career.
Knight retired as the winningest coach in Division I basketball with 902 victories but was passed by former pupil Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. Knight was a three-time national champion with the Hoosiers before he was fired because of his abrasive personality, short temper and several incidents.
