Knight and Gibbs: Night and Day Success

Two coaching legends recently resigned from their respective teams, moving on to a new era in their lives. For some, these two fellows were as different as night and day, yet their accumulation of wins and championships is remarkable. Yet, Bob Knight and Joe Gibbs both saw their roles as more than just winning.

As a longtime successful college hoops coach, Knight viewed himself as a teacher first. A lot of people, some who I feel are too quick to judge without looking in the mirror first, have tuned him out due to his occasional tantrums and outbursts. Coach Knight has a passion for his profession and he saw it as worthy of getting ugly for at times. The fact he could win championships while keeping his programs compliant with the sometimes crazy rules of the NCAA, plus pushing his players to achieve in the classroom and graduate deserves our applause and respect. Again, for the ones who thought he was and is a jerk, well he wasn't being one just to be one. He has results, and in this world, the results are what counts.

As a school librarian, I appreciate Knights dedication to the libraries on the campuses where he coached. He saw these facilities as very useful to people working on achieving their goals and dreams, and this is where he focused his fundraising work. So behind the highly publicized tirades, there was and still is a good man who has genuine concerns for his players and for all the students, plus a hope for them to have success in life not only in basketball, but beyond.

As an NFL legend, Coach Gibbs was the man who brought Super Bowl trophies to the nation's capital, yet on the sidelines he almost appeared like a target for schoolyard bullies, being smaller than his players, with glasses and cap, and what at times seemed like a timid look. It is even hard to envision what an outburst from him would look like. But just like Knight, there was a competitive fire within him that wouldn't slow him down, and this fire had a way of driving others as well. Gibbs not only found success in football, but also in auto racing as owner of a NASCAR team, an enterprise in which he is still involved. Yet as coach and team owner, he knew he served as a model for those playing under him and he took this to heart. He was concerned with his players' spirituality and the lives they lived not only on the field, but off as well. His handling of the Sean Taylor tragedy this past season showed proof of this feeling. This passion and compassion even extends to the fans as Gibbs has an online ministry that all people can access.

Even with the hectic pace that coaching provided, both of these men seemed to take their fathering seriously, even leaving footprints for their sons to step into. A key reason for Coach Knight stepping down was so his son, Pat, who had been designated as his replacement, could get a head start on his coaching career. Coach Gibbs has already turned the operation of Joe Gibbs Racing over to his son, J.D., plus he is helping his other son form a racing team of his own. These men are great examples of ones, who in spite of having long work hours, did strive as well to be good family leaders.

Just the differences in personality between these two figures goes to show there isn't one right way to success. They didn't let anyone dictate to them either on what kind of individuals they would be, as they each traveled their own path to this high level of achievement. As a result of their journeys, they leave a ton of great memories for the fans to cherish and enjoy. For that, we have to be appreciative.