40 Years Later, Knight’s Chair Returns to Indiana Sideline

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — On the 40th anniversary of Bob Knight‘s infamous chair toss during a game, the now-iconic chair returned to the Indiana Hoosiers‘ sideline on Sunday for their matchup against in-state rival Purdue. The incident, which resulted in Knight’s ejection in a 1985 game, continues to resonate with fans and players alike.

Indiana’s head coach Mike Woodson honored the legacy of his predecessor by sitting in what is believed to be the same chair Knight threw across the Assembly Hall floor. This symbolic gesture took place just before the Hoosiers faced the No. 13-ranked Boilermakers, the same team involved in the legendary outburst.

“Mike Woodson told us before the game that he believes that this is THE chair,” CBS broadcaster Andrew Catalon noted during the game. “He said that to honor his former coach, he’s going to sit in that chair and not throw it today.”

Woodson’s homage coincides with significant speculation around his coaching future amid the Hoosiers’ recent performances. As discussions of potential successors emerge, some coaches are already expressing admiration for candidates to lead the storied program. Notably, Rick Pitino, head coach at St. John’s, named Chris Beard as his top pick for the role.

“If I was the AD at Indiana, I would immediately hire one of the premier coaches in all of college basketball, and that’s Chris Beard,” Pitino said. “He’d have them in the Top 5-7 every single year.”

Currently, Beard is in his second season at Ole Miss, where his Rebels have achieved a 19-7 record, placing them 24th in the latest AP Top 25 Poll. Despite his coaching success, Beard’s past incidents, including an arrest related to domestic assault early in the season, have raised concerns among fans and administrators.

On the court, the Hoosiers faced challenges during their matchup against Purdue. Senior guard Leal experienced a controversial moment in the game when he got tangled with Boilermakers’ player Furst, leading to a review of a potential foul. While some commentators believed Leal should have been ejected, no call was made after the review.

CBS announcer Steve Lappas expressed his confusion over the officiating, stating, “I know it’s a great officiating crew, but there’s no way.” As the game progressed, both teams sought to capitalize on every opportunity, echoing the competitive spirit that Knight instilled in his players.

As the Hoosiers continue their season, Woodson’s decision to honor Knight’s legacy with the chair serves as a reminder of Indiana’s storied basketball history and the challenges that lie ahead.