Knight was an almost Shakespearean character: Brilliant, thoughtful and tragically flawed.” When the news flashed Thursday that Feinstein had died in his brother’s McLean home at age 69, it struck me that Feinstein might have written a similar description of himself.

Feinstein wrote “A Season on the Brink” in 1986, a book chronicling the 1985-86 Indiana men’s basketball season coached by Bob Knight. The Hoosiers, led by Steve Alford, finished 21-8 and second in the Big Ten standings.

John Feinstein, author of the bestselling book “A Season on the Brink” about college basketball coach Bob Knight, died unexpectedly Thursday.

He had a long affiliation with The Washington Post and wrote books including “A Season on the Brink,” about Indiana University men’s basketball coach Bob Knight.

The longtime Washington Post staffer wrote the best-sellers ‘A Season on the Brink' and ‘A Good Walk Spoiled.'

A longtime columnist for The Washington Post, he also wrote dozens of books about basketball, baseball, tennis, football and the Olympics.

John Feinstein got what made the Big 5 special back when it really was special, and he seized every opportunity to savor the experience.

Hall of Fame sports commentator and author John Feinstein has passed away at the age of 69. According to the Washington Post, Feinstein died at his home in McLean, Virginia, on March 13; however, the cause of death is yet to be confirmed.