Dean Smith

Legendary coaching icon Dean Smith passed away Saturday night at the age of 83. I grew up in the 1970's and Dean Smith's name was revered in my house. He was the standard in which coaching excellence was measured. He believed in sportmanship, respect for the other team, and his innovations for the game of college basketball have been well documented.

I do not know who coined the term "Carolina Family" but it also became legendary throughout college and pro basketball. This family also extended to players that transferred out of the program. Current and ex-Tarheels used to gather in Chapel Hill over the summer to play pick up games and to see Dean Smith and stay involved with the Carolina Program.

Dean Smith's biggest contributions may have come off the court. He recruited the first African American, Charles Scott, to play in the ACC ands not for any politically motivated reasons but because he felt it was the right thing to do.

He retired as the all-time winningest coach in College Basketball but he knew the time was right for him to leave. His coaching tree extends far and wide and the roots run deep and his impact will be felt for a long, long time.

I met Dean Smith one time when he was at Owen High School near Asheville, NC recruiting future Tar Heel Brad Daugherty. My team East Henderson, was playing Owen in an exhibition game and I had the opportunity to go say a few words to him and get an autograph. He obliged but I knew he had better things to do but he still took the time.