Dean Smith

Dean Smith was an American college basketball coach and basketball player who became a legendary figure in the sport during his 36-year tenure as Head Coach of the University of North Carolina.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Dean Edwards Smith was born on February 28, 1931, in Emporia, Kansas, and passed away on February 7, 2015, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

He was married twice, first to Ann Cleavinger in 1954, with whom he had three children (Sharon, Sandy, and Scott), and then to psychiatrist Linnea Weblemoe Smith in 1976, with whom he had two daughters (Kristen and Kelly).

After his death, he left a touching legacy by willing $200 to each of his former lettermen for a dinner out, reaching approximately 180 ex-players.

Coaching Career

Smith began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Kansas (1953-1955), followed by positions in the Air Force (1955-1958) and the University of North Carolina (1958-1961).

In 1961, he became the Head Coach at North Carolina, where he would remain for 36 years until 1997, amassing an impressive overall record of 879 wins and 254 losses.

As a head coach, Smith's achievements were remarkable. He led North Carolina to two NCAA Division I championships (1982, 1993) and made eleven Final Four appearances (1967-1969, 1972, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997).

His dominance in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) was evident through thirteen ACC tournament championships and seventeen ACC regular season titles. He also secured an NIT championship in 1971.

His individual accolades were equally impressive. Smith was named ACC Coach of the Year eight times (1967, 1968, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1988, 1993) and received the Naismith College Coach of the Year award in 1993. His impact on basketball was recognized through his induction into multiple halls of fame: the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983, the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007, and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

As a player, Smith won the NCAA Division I Tournament in 1952. He also achieved international success as Head Coach of the United States Olympic team, leading them to a gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Career Highlights:

• 1982, 1993 - NCAA Division I Champion (Head Coach)
• 1993 - Naismith College Coach of the Year
• 1967, 1968, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1988, 1993 - ACC Coach of the Year (8x)
• 1983 - Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2006 - College Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2007 - FIBA Hall of Fame Inductee
• 1952 - NCAA Division I Tournament Champion (as player)

Medal Record, Men's Basketball Representing the United States

• Gold - 1976 Summer Olympics Montreal (Head Coach)