Zach Osterman

zach.osterman@indystar.com

BLOOMINGTON – Hall-of-fame former IU coach Bob Knight offered a glowing endorsement Thursday night of the man now occupying the seat he so long held.

Speaking during a public event at Bloomington High School North, Knight offered words of encouragement for Indiana fans about the potential new coach Archie Miller brings to Bloomington.

Prompted by former Bloomington Herald-Times sports editor Bob Hammel, Knight's confidant and the evening’s moderator, Knight said when he heard of Miller’s hiring, he called longtime Dayton coach Don Donoher, who was on Knight’s staff during the 1984 Olympics.

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Miller came to IU from Dayton. Knight sought Donoher’s opinion of him.

“Without any reservation,” Knight said, recounting the conversation, “(Donoher) said, ‘I think you and the people at Indiana will really like the way this coach goes about things.’”

Miller won nearly 70 percent of his games over six seasons coaching the Flyers. He qualified for four-straight NCAA tournaments, advanced to the 2014 Elite Eight and won at least a share of two Atlantic 10 regular-season titles.

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He was announced in a news conference as Indiana’s 29th head coach on Monday. On Thursday, Indiana’s 24th head coach recounted Donoher’s recommendation, to the delight of a packed Bloomington North gym, before offering one of his own.

“You folks get behind him,” Knight said of Miller, “and I think you’re gonna enjoy some good basketball.”

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.