I will never forget this day. It is still one of the saddest days of my life. Dean, you have been my hero since I was very young. He is a once in a lifetime coach and Im damn proud to be a TarHeel because of him. The Carolina Way baby!
People keep talking about how much talent he had to work with--why did all that talent choose UNC in the first place? Because Dean Smith made UNC a household name, a legendary brand. He is the reason for the talent being there to begin with. The UNC name didn't recruit itself like it does now before Dean arrived on campus.
I'm a Duke grad and recruited for Duke b-ball. And, yes, I heaped plenty of abuse on Dean at our place. In 1970, another senior and I snuck into Carmichael to watch a practice. We sat in the top row, both wearing Duke jackets. After 30 mins, someone trudged all the way up the steps to kick us out . It was not a trainer. It was Dean Smith! He smiled when he saw the jackets, and said, "Sorry, guys, but I have to ask you to leave for this part of our practice." Classy man. Very sorry he's ill.
Which one doesn't belong. I didn't say Dean was a bad guy or teacher, just an average coach of big games.
Wonder what Bobby Knight would have done with all that talent. Dean had more 26 1st team All-Americans and John Wooden had 12 1st team All-Americans and Dean won 2 National Championships.
@bamatide13 Dean Smith had class. He didn't go out and pay any of his players, he made sure they were good kids and made damn sure they graduated. That's what separated him from Wooden (and Bryant, I guess, even though he coached a different sport). Sure the facts don't lie, but it's what the facts don't tell that really tells the truth (dammit, the sounded cheesy. :D). So yeah, before I get too sappy, Dean Smith was the most respected man in basketball because he had class.
@bamatide13 UCLA teams were bought - Fact. John Wooden 12 final fours, Dean Smith 11 final fours - Fact. Dean 12 sweet 16's in a row (most ever) - Fact. Bob Knight had only 5 final fours - Fact. Dean Smith olympic gold - Fact. Higher grad rate that both of these coaches. Bob Knight once national coach of the yr, Dean 4 times - Fact. Bear Bryant was a damn crook just like the university of alabama - and thats a damn fact. Dean 80% win pct, ties wooden, beats hell out of knight. You fail.
I was going to wait until the morning, but I couldn't wait that long. I'm not going to even speak on Dean Smith's records or winning or the players that he coached that won beyond college or the coaches that went on to win NBA titles and NCAA titles.
Do you know what Dean Smith did for racial integration in the south for college sports?
Do you know why there is a shot clock in college basketball? Do you?
Do you enjoy trolling? Is it a high for you? You fucking idiot.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
The greatest NCAA coach ever...
No this is about Dean Smith not John Wooden. Smith is the most overrated coach in the history of sports. Only 2 titles with all that talent. How could anyone possibly say that he was the best coach ever. The goal of a coach is to win, and Smith didn't get it done. And don't bother with the regular season records, means nothing with all that talent.
he also influenced the way the game was played ex: The "tired signal", the scorer pointing to the assist man, four corners, PG calling out the defensive plays, MULTIPLE new defensive stratagies, the "huddling up at the FreeThrow line". He is renowned for his psychological warfare with the other team/coaches
Thank you! Right on! Look at the players he coached that went on to win! Jordan, Perkins, Worthy, Kenny the jet Smith, J.R. Reid, Jamison, Vince Carter, Rick Fox, omg, the list goes on and on. How about coaches? Billy Cunningham coached the 1983 Sixers, Roy Williams, 400 wins at Kansas, near 700, 2 NCAA titles, Larry Brown-NCAA title, 1,000 NBA wins, NBA title, George Karl-1,000 NBA titles. No one holds a candle to Dean Smith. Not to mention what he did for race relations....
not to mention there's a shot clock in college basketball because of him! Pointing to a player who got you an assist! Huddling at the free throw line! That's why Dickie V calls him Michelangelo! People who say Dean Smith was overrated are fucking idiots!
sure he could have cut corners and won ten titles, but chose to not always win over cheating. he graduated over 95 pct of players and not all of them excelled in hoops. many are now coaches, bankers, businessmen, professors, etc, etc. the man and our program have nothing to be ashamed of. go throw you rocks at another target you troll.
Yes. I live here in North Carolina, have lived here my entire life. I have been a huge Carolina fan since childhood. I love Carolina Tar Heels and can't stand the Rat Coach K and Dook
I will never forget this day. It is still one of the saddest days of my life. Dean, you have been my hero since I was very young. He is a once in a lifetime coach and Im damn proud to be a TarHeel because of him. The Carolina Way baby!
carseatmomma 1 day ago
People keep talking about how much talent he had to work with--why did all that talent choose UNC in the first place? Because Dean Smith made UNC a household name, a legendary brand. He is the reason for the talent being there to begin with. The UNC name didn't recruit itself like it does now before Dean arrived on campus.
tarheelmotu 2 weeks ago
Class
gmoore06 3 months ago
I'm a Duke grad and recruited for Duke b-ball. And, yes, I heaped plenty of abuse on Dean at our place. In 1970, another senior and I snuck into Carmichael to watch a practice. We sat in the top row, both wearing Duke jackets. After 30 mins, someone trudged all the way up the steps to kick us out . It was not a trainer. It was Dean Smith! He smiled when he saw the jackets, and said, "Sorry, guys, but I have to ask you to leave for this part of our practice." Classy man. Very sorry he's ill.
callen8000 11 months ago
My mom said that the day he retired was a sad day and a great day. A sad day because he retired. A great day because I was born.
( On my cousins youtube thats why he's 26 btw)
Omgzitzrocket 1 year ago
Does anyone know of a Dean Smith biography that has been written? I'd love to read more about the man.
calmartin 1 year ago
John Wooden 12 National Championship in 19 years.
Bear Bryant 6 NC in 23 years.
Dean Smith 2 NC in 36 years.
Which one doesn't belong. I didn't say Dean was a bad guy or teacher, just an average coach of big games.
Wonder what Bobby Knight would have done with all that talent. Dean had more 26 1st team All-Americans and John Wooden had 12 1st team All-Americans and Dean won 2 National Championships.
The facts don't lie. Maybe you are the idiot.
bamatide13 1 year ago
@bamatide13 Dean Smith had class. He didn't go out and pay any of his players, he made sure they were good kids and made damn sure they graduated. That's what separated him from Wooden (and Bryant, I guess, even though he coached a different sport). Sure the facts don't lie, but it's what the facts don't tell that really tells the truth (dammit, the sounded cheesy. :D). So yeah, before I get too sappy, Dean Smith was the most respected man in basketball because he had class.
tomatoface12 1 year ago
@bamatide13 UCLA teams were bought - Fact. John Wooden 12 final fours, Dean Smith 11 final fours - Fact. Dean 12 sweet 16's in a row (most ever) - Fact. Bob Knight had only 5 final fours - Fact. Dean Smith olympic gold - Fact. Higher grad rate that both of these coaches. Bob Knight once national coach of the yr, Dean 4 times - Fact. Bear Bryant was a damn crook just like the university of alabama - and thats a damn fact. Dean 80% win pct, ties wooden, beats hell out of knight. You fail.
BEBNC1 1 year ago
@bamatide13
I was going to wait until the morning, but I couldn't wait that long. I'm not going to even speak on Dean Smith's records or winning or the players that he coached that won beyond college or the coaches that went on to win NBA titles and NCAA titles.
Do you know what Dean Smith did for racial integration in the south for college sports?
Do you know why there is a shot clock in college basketball? Do you?
Do you enjoy trolling? Is it a high for you? You fucking idiot.
highwater03 11 months ago
He retire to early!! He should have stayed for at least 10 more years!!!
SteelAVic18 2 years ago
It is amazing that his man couldn't win more big games.
Stevie Wonder and Ronnie Millsap could have won 10 National Championships with the talent he had.
He won alot of games with superior talent but under achieved in the championship department.
He was no John Wooden or Bear Bryant though.
He seems to be a good guy and mentor
bamatide13 2 years ago
bam is right on. smith underachieved a coach.
arther1045 1 year ago
@arther1045
Wow, and you're no better. Clown.
highwater03 11 months ago
@bamatide13
"He was no John Wooden or Bear Bryant though."
Yea, that's why ESPN named him the greatest basketball coach ever during Sportscentury, because he wasn't as good. Idiot.
highwater03 11 months ago
Coach Smith is my greatest influence in my own coaching life!
cookie6901 2 years ago
You can't beat "The Dean" in the Dean Dome!!!!!! Thanks Coach Smith for the memories!!!!
melntravlane 2 years ago
The Ultimate Class Act
The greatest coach of any sport in the history of sports
Thanks Dean
stbhs71 2 years ago 7
classy
FUNKEYED 2 years ago
Coach Smith will be missed always but Roy is keeping the tradition strong.....
verbalhigh 2 years ago 3
understandable zew... just plz watch your language.. sorry to delete ,,feel free to repost ;)
cotadog 2 years ago
gr8est college coach ever
shampur20877 2 years ago
Coach Smith has influenced basketball more than any other player or coach EVER!! Think about how successful his assistants have been.
PachydermStomp 2 years ago
The greatest NCAA coach ever...had the privilege of attending UNC basketball camp when he was in charge, a great man and a legend in coaching
rutke467 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The greatest NCAA coach ever...
No this is about Dean Smith not John Wooden. Smith is the most overrated coach in the history of sports. Only 2 titles with all that talent. How could anyone possibly say that he was the best coach ever. The goal of a coach is to win, and Smith didn't get it done. And don't bother with the regular season records, means nothing with all that talent.
arther1045 2 years ago
Hi Hater! Dean Smith is the 2nd winniest coach in NCAA History.
Domini478 2 years ago
he also influenced the way the game was played ex: The "tired signal", the scorer pointing to the assist man, four corners, PG calling out the defensive plays, MULTIPLE new defensive stratagies, the "huddling up at the FreeThrow line". He is renowned for his psychological warfare with the other team/coaches
beblackmon00 2 years ago
Just look at the people he influenced...
There are so much stars in the NBA from UNC.
Also he made UNC a great school. He just didn't influence players on the court. He influenced them off the court to survive in the real life.
pepperkorn3 2 years ago
@pepperkorn3
Thank you! Right on! Look at the players he coached that went on to win! Jordan, Perkins, Worthy, Kenny the jet Smith, J.R. Reid, Jamison, Vince Carter, Rick Fox, omg, the list goes on and on. How about coaches? Billy Cunningham coached the 1983 Sixers, Roy Williams, 400 wins at Kansas, near 700, 2 NCAA titles, Larry Brown-NCAA title, 1,000 NBA wins, NBA title, George Karl-1,000 NBA titles. No one holds a candle to Dean Smith. Not to mention what he did for race relations....
highwater03 11 months ago
@pepperkorn3
not to mention there's a shot clock in college basketball because of him! Pointing to a player who got you an assist! Huddling at the free throw line! That's why Dickie V calls him Michelangelo! People who say Dean Smith was overrated are fucking idiots!
highwater03 11 months ago
sure he could have cut corners and won ten titles, but chose to not always win over cheating. he graduated over 95 pct of players and not all of them excelled in hoops. many are now coaches, bankers, businessmen, professors, etc, etc. the man and our program have nothing to be ashamed of. go throw you rocks at another target you troll.
jimvrpaze 2 years ago 8
One of the saddest days in my 33 years of life. :*( Go heels!!
BlackDahliaMurderFan 3 years ago
Yea I saw the news that morning and was hoping it was some kind of cruel joke. One of the greatest coaches in ANY sport. PERIOD !!
cotadog 3 years ago
Yes. I live here in North Carolina, have lived here my entire life. I have been a huge Carolina fan since childhood. I love Carolina Tar Heels and can't stand the Rat Coach K and Dook
BlackDahliaMurderFan 3 years ago