LUBBOCK, Texas — Bob Knight resigned yesterday at Texas Tech, a stunning midseason move by the winningest men’s coach in major college basketball.

“He said he was tired and that it was best to go ahead and do it now,” Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance told the Associated Press. “I think Bob is through with coaching. I think he got to the point where it wasn’t fun for him.”

Known as much for his fiery temper as his basketball brilliance, Knight gave no hint a change was coming. He will be replaced by his son, Pat, a Red Raiders assistant. The 67-year-old Knight informed Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers of his decision in a meeting around noon, Hance said. Knight then called Hance and told him.

“He thought about it Sunday all day and talked to his wife and decided ‘This is something I want to do,'” Hance said.

The Red Raiders beat Oklahoma State 67-60 on Saturday, giving Knight his 902nd victory. He won national titles at Indiana in 1976, 1981, and 1987.

Knight was not available for comment yesterday, said Randy Farley, a spokesman for the Texas Tech basketball program.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal first reported the resignation. In September, Knight signed a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2011–12 season. In 2005, Pat Knight was appointed his father’s successor.

Knight arrived at Texas Tech in March 2001, six months after being fired by Indiana for what school officials there called a “pattern of unacceptable behavior.”

In his first six years at Tech, he led the Red Raiders to five 20-win seasons, a first at the school. They are 12–8 this season, including Knight’s 900th victory last month against Texas A&M.

Knight passed former North Carolina coach Dean Smith as the winningest Division I coach January 1, 2007, getting career win no. 880.