Dean Smith dies

[Barbershopman]

Breaking news on SportsCenter this morning that Dean Smith died last night at age 83.

His legacy at NC, the coaches in the game now that he mentored, his record on the court, and the way he ran his program with intergrity is one of legend. He cared about his players as people, with respect, and that was reciprocated.

Probably most impressive, his players achieved a 96% graduation rate, unheard of in today's world.

A couple of things I didn't know is that he started his career playing for the legendary Phog Allen who was assistant coach to the inventor James Naismith. That goes back a long way. He coached for 36 years, from 1961 to 1997, and only had one losing season. The game changed a lot in that time. Imagine how many times he had to "reinvent" the way he taught the game.

Prayers to his family at this time. Rest in peace Coach Dean.

Barbershopman

 

[Sodahead]

This is truly sad, indeed. As a lifelong North Carolinian and UNC fan, Dean Smith he is rule a hero of the game. Some other little did bits about him are highlighted below in the article. I know comment sections are typically cesspools, but do yourselves a favor ad read some of the kind words and stories people are sharing about Dean Smith...truly a great man. I got really chocked p when his arch nemesis, Coach K, had nothing but kind words and admiration for his long time admiration. Basketball in the great state of North Carolina is truly a wonderful thing and Dean Smith was and will always be an important part of that.

I was seven years old when he retired but the legacy he's left behind is still very evident. I know that many people in Chapel hill have gathered near the Dean Smith Center (aka the Dean Dome) to pay their respects.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...er-north-carolina-tar-heels-coach-dies-age-83

 

[Alliekat]

I'm sad to hear this. As a UNC alum, I once got the chance to meet Dean Smith at a diner, and he took time to speak to my friends and me as though were close personal friends of his. My prayers are with his family as with his former played and coaches with whom he maintained close relationships until his death

 

[Sodahead]

I wanted to add something else about Coach Smith. He passed away sometime late Saturday night I believe. After I got off work on that evening I stopped off at my favorite bar to grab dinner and unwind with a few cold beers. After polishing off a triple onion cheeseburger with fries, I ordered myself another beer and settled in to watch basketball for a bit.

Soon, a fella a few years older than me sat a few stools down and ordered himself a beer as well. As we watched highlights on ESPN of Duke blowing out Notre Dame, we both made some passing comments about the game at which point he proudly revealed he was a Duke fan. After I told him that I was a Carolina fan we exchanged some obligatory, good natured ribbing and then began discussing the season so far for both Duke and UNC.

We sat for close to two hours recalling great moments from both teams from years past as well as swapping stories about some great moments of the Duke-UNC rivalry.We laughed at some of the ridiculousness that comes with this great rivalry and traded a few jokes as well as praise about each other's team. While this was going on, we had no idea that Dean Smith was nearing death, yet his name was brought up numerous times during our conversations.

I think that seemingly innocuous event is a small part of Coach Smith's legacy that he would be proud of. That two lifelong basketball fans could sit for hours and swap years worth of fond memories with one another is somewhat to his credit as he helped build UNC into the powerhouse that it is today. That he could be a part of building a legacy that shaped the history of the state of North Carolina and provide so many ordinary people that he never even met so much joy, is something that might not have been evident to him everyday, but it is very evident of those of us who admire him and the game of basketball.

Off the court he was a man of God. But more importantly he was a man of the people. His unapologetic stand against segregation and his compassion for prisoners were ahead of his time. He took players to visit prisoners, and his teams would often scrimmage for inmates.He was every bit deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him by PResident Obama in 2013. Even if you don't like basketball, or hat UNC or disagree with his politics, his generosity and good intentions can never be disputed.

RIP

 

[paracarl44]

A sad day for the Tarheels fans.

One of the most famous NBA players that was coached by Dan Smith was Michael Jordan.