Now that Texas Tech coach Bob Knight is leaving college basketball, we’ll no longer be subjected to the creepy, bizarre television outbursts like the one he had just recently while holding his young grandchild at a post-game press conference.

We’ll see less of his goofy public persona – and hopefully, more people will be allowed to see the warmer, softer side he often displays in private situations.

Yes, believe it or not, he does have a softer side.

At a fishing lodge in southeastern Alabama a few years ago, I was able to spend a few hours with Knight, thanks to a good friend of mine named Larry Colombo.

Larry grew up in Indiana and had been a close fishing buddy of Knight’s since the coach prowled the sidelines for the Indiana Hoosiers. Larry now lives in Eufaula, Ala., and he often arranged fishing trips for Knight when the coach was passing through the area on recruiting trips.

Knight spent that afternoon fly fishing for bluegill on one of the plantation lakes, and a big group of us got together for dinner that night. Because I was the last to sit down – and because everyone else was afraid to sit next to him – I wound up in a chair right beside him.

I survived, and I experienced a side of Knight that people rarely get to see on TV.

He owned that two-hour conversation, answering even the silliest questions with respect and dignity. He came across as an intelligent guy without acting dictatorial, and I’ve wondered many times since then why he doesn’t do that more often.

Knight loves fly fishing and bird hunting, and in retirement he’ll have more time to do both.

With his love for the outdoors now dominating his life, maybe his private persona will consume the ranting, raving, pouting bozo we’ve all come to detest through the years as basketball fans.

I sure hope so.