LUBBOCK, Texas - Scratch Bob Knight's name off the list of candidates for the Ohio State coaching job.

The Texas Tech coach released a statement Thursday night saying he's been told that his alma mater won't be considering him.

''Last night, a friend of mine from Columbus called me to say that the athletic director had decided not to discuss the vacancy with me. Therefore, there was no need for me to consider it,'' Knight said.

The Buckeyes are looking for a replacement for Jim O'Brien, who was fired on June 8 after athletic director Andy Geiger said O'Brien admitted he had given $6,000 to a recruit in 1999.

Knight agreed earlier this month to a three-year extension of his contract with the Red Raiders, which would keep him at Tech until 2009. Nonetheless, his name was linked because of his ties to the Buckeyes.

''During the past two weeks, I have called no one nor initiated any inquiries about the basketball coaching position at Ohio State,'' Knight said. ''However, several people in Columbus and in Ohio have called to ask if I would be willing to take the job.''

Knight, who won three national championships at Indiana, has led Texas Tech to three straight seasons of at least 20 wins. At 832-323, he is 48 victories shy of Dean Smith's mark as the winningest coach in Division I.