Hmm. Trash talk from a guy who's college football team can't beat Dook at home.
Nevertheless, welcome to my wheelhouse. Dean Smith, above all else, was a gentleman who truly cared for the kids who played for him. They got their degrees and they became better players and men while at UNC. He put their interests first and advised stars to leave when their value was at its highest. He did not retire their numbers until they completed their degrees, including Michael Jordan.
UNC was never punished by the NCAA for infractions in his 32 years. We wish we could say the same for the coaches since Dean retired.
Dean Smith led the Tar Heels to 13 ACC tournament championships, 11 Final Fours, five national title games and NCAA championships in 1982 and 1993. North Carolina won at least 20 games in each of his final 27 seasons and made 23 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. He left behind a team for Bill Guthridge that went to two Final Fours in three years.
When he retired, Dean Smith had the most wins in NCAA Division I history.
He integrated the ACC with the first African American scholarship player, Charlie Scott, who led the Heels to two final fours and won a Gold medal at the 1968 Olympics. Charlie Scott, by the way, was drafted by the Celtics in 1970 but chose to play in the ABA for more money. Scott did have three decent seasons in the mid-70s with the Celtics.
