by Jeff Goodman

He's also been a fixture on the recruiting trail and intends to push the ball quickly up the court this season.

Other than that, the Texas Tech coach says not to expect wholesale changes in Lubbock in his first full year at the helm.

"I'm going to tinker with a few things, but the core is still the same," Knight said.

Not a bad idea since his dad is the all-time winningest coach in the history of the game with 902 career victories. Pat has seven to his credit after taking the reins on Feb. 4 last season when his dad somewhat abruptly retired.

Bob Knight has always been steadfast in his beliefs in man-to-man defensive principles and a renowned motion offense.

But when his son, Pat, opts to go with a zone defense at some point this year, don't place the blame squarely on him.

"If my zone doesn't work, don't get on my ass," he joked. "My dad helped me design it three weeks ago."

There were countless battles with Bob Knight and the media over the course of his 40-plus years at the helm at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech. He'd intimidate some and make others laugh, but you never truly knew what you were going to get when you spoke with The General.

Don't expect that from the Red Raiders' current head coach.

"They are more similar than different," said Texas Tech assistant Chris Beard. "Pat's got all the intensity on the floor, but people are shocked because Pat's a lot more laid-back — especially with the media."

"Pat is full-access," he added. "He's the same way with the media that he is with his players, the staff and everyone else."

Knight's plan is to recruit quality players and win games in Lubbock — which admittedly isn't all that easy because of the out-of-the-way location.

"You're going to see us go places we haven't been before," he said. "We're going to get out, and it's going to be me."

His father usually went out on the road in July for a couple days — maybe a day locally in Denton and a day in Las Vegas. Pat Knight was out 20 days that month.

"My dad told me it's a young man's game now, and you've got to be out there more than the assistants," Pat Knight said. "That was one of the reasons he got tired of it."

Pat Knight, 38, said he'll try to take advantage of dribble-penetration more than his father. If the Red Raiders can get a bucket early in the shot clock, they will push the ball and take advantage. If not, they'll go to the motion offense that helped make Bob Knight so successful throughout his career.

"He understands, even though he prefers coming off screens," Pat said.

Bob Knight still resides in Lubbock and comes into the office frequently.

"He's going to be around," Pat said. "He just left for a month the other day, and I had him come in because I had questions I wanted to ask him about individuals. He's the face of the program."

That may be true, but things are changing around Lubbock.

Even the old man is telling his son not to follow in his footsteps — especially with the media.

"Don't be like me," Pat recalled.

He doesn't have to worry. It's not going to happen.