Some athletes are greater role models than others, but Barkley was spot on. Athletes, as a group, are poor role models. Sports are all about winning, winning, winning. It's all about being better than everyone else. If you want to learn what not to do, watch what other people do. They're always better role models than we are. Here is who I think are some great role models: Bobby Knight - Men's Basketball - Indiana University He built one of the most successful programs in college basketball history while maintaining a strict work ethic and demanding practice regimen. The Indiana program has won more than 100 games every year since 1976, when Knight took over for the retiring Larry Bird, and has appeared in the NCAA Tournament every season under him. He is the most successful coach in IU history and has amassed a record of 908-244 during his career. Knight had a well-known no-nonsense style of coaching that attracted a lot of attention from the media. He was known for his hand gestures during timeouts and at halftime speeches. Sometimes he would take off his coat and roll up his sleeves to show how much he wanted to beat his opponent.