Bobby Knight is back.

For awhile, I was convinced “The General” had lost his flair and gone soft on us.

But, in Texas Tech’s early season tussle with Garner-Webb, Knight showed the entire world the audacity that made him famous.

In the second half of the game, Knight gave sophomore forward Michael Prince a good pop on the chin when the player’s head dropped and broke eye contact with Knight. What appeared to many as a violent and inexcusable act is, in fact, just a part of the player-coach relationship most know nothing about.

Some say Knight’s strike on Prince was a little more forceful than should be normally accepted, but hey, it’s Bobby Knight. When has he ever been put in the category of normal? Remember, this is the same guy who launched a chair across the court while an opposing player attempted to shoot free throws. Or what about the time he kicked the chair his son (and player), Pat, was sitting in?

Love him or hate him, Knight is a great basketball coach. After all, he now sits just five games short of passing college basketball legend Dean Smith to take over the top spot on college basketball’s all-time win list.

He definitely didn’t make it this far by being passive. Knight is a highly emotional guy, which is exactly what any team needs in a coach.

He demands respect from his players at all times, and Prince dropping his head when Knight was speaking to him was disrespectful. Knight sure let him know that. I’m willing to bet next time Michael Prince receives a stern talking to from anybody, his eyes will be locked on to theirs like a fighter jet’s missile.

So in all honesty, Knight has taught this kid a life lesson. And at the end of the day, Knight has the full support of Texas Tech athletics director Gerald Myers, Michael Prince and both of his parents. So what’s all the fuss about?

Let Bobby Knight coach the way Bobby Knight wants to coach. It’s his team, his game, his rules. Could you really look him in the eyes (unlike Michael Prince) and tell him that what he’s doing isn’t working?

Just make sure you tell him after he passes Dean Smith and becomes the best coach in NCAA history.