Bobby Knight was quick to defend [Lou Campanelli]. Knight said the people who fired Campanelli didn't know what they were doing. Or is it the other way around?

California athletic director Bob Bockrath said he was appalled when he twice overheard Campanelli cursing his players after they lost. He said there was a series of instances reported by players stung by Campanelli.

There was the moment at the Meadowlands when Cal lost its five-game undefeated record and an unaccustomed national ranking in a defeat to [James Madison], Campanelli's previous team. In the locker room the coach, who grew up in Springfield, N.J., flung the lunches and kicked them. According to players, he said, "You have embarrassed me in front of my family." He refused to ride the team bus with them.