February 9, 201511 yr Darren Rovell tweeted a letter from Dean Smith to Michael Jordan after his sophomore year at UNC. Interested to read. Give him about 7-8 things he needed to work on.
February 9, 201511 yr Was really neat watching ESPN yesterday and seeing all the stories being shared and the influence that he had on so many current coaches and former players. I remember hating to watch them play when he was on the sidelines because you always knew they were going to be prepared and more likely than not find a way to get the W. Heck of a coach.
February 9, 201511 yr Of all the coaches who coached vs KY, he was one of those I wanted to see lose every time. But he has and had my respect. He was a great coach and I pray God's peace on his family, friends and players during this time. I haven't met a single player that spoke ill of him from UNC. Not one. RIP coach.
February 10, 201511 yr Truth hurts don't it? He's one of the greatest. Period. Let me start talking negative about Rupp and you guys will be calling for my head. But hey, I guess it's hard to like someone better than your own.
February 10, 201511 yr 11 Final Fours, 879 wins. From 1981-1993, his teams finished no worse than the Sweet 16 - that would be 13 consecutive years! He helped integrate the ACC, he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an Olympic Gold Medal and too many ACC titles to count. Coach K won't come out and say it, but a lot of what Duke does has Dean Smith traits. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Dean Smith was an amazing coach and an amazing man. None of those recruits were handed to him - he went out and got them all. So, the comment of doing so little with so much is not accurate and not fair. When UNC beat Georgetown in '82, shortly after the game, after getting the "can't win the big one" monkey off his back, Dean said (paraphrasing)..."I don't feel like I'm any better a coach now than I was two hours ago." Yes, he wanted to win, but he also had perspective. UKfan1977 - you need a little perspective.
February 10, 201511 yr Pretty good article that sums up my feelings. Mark Story: No coach ever caused Kentucky fans more angst than Dean Smith | Mark Story | Kentucky.com
February 10, 201511 yr He's one of the greatest. Period. Let me start talking negative about Rupp and you guys will be calling for my head. But hey, I guess it's hard to like someone better than your own. Didn't day he wasn't one of the greatest. I said he done less with more. Don't worry Roy is the same way. To much talent at Kansas to have early exits from the tourney.
February 10, 201511 yr 11 Final Fours, 879 wins. From 1981-1993, his teams finished no worse than the Sweet 16 - that would be 13 consecutive years! He helped integrate the ACC, he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an Olympic Gold Medal and too many ACC titles to count. Coach K won't come out and say it, but a lot of what Duke does has Dean Smith traits. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Dean Smith was an amazing coach and an amazing man. None of those recruits were handed to him - he went out and got them all. So, the comment of doing so little with so much is not accurate and not fair. When UNC beat Georgetown in '82, shortly after the game, after getting the "can't win the big one" monkey off his back, Dean said (paraphrasing)..."I don't feel like I'm any better a coach now than I was two hours ago." Yes, he wanted to win, but he also had perspective. UKfan1977 - you need a little perspective. Why isn't it Fair?
February 10, 201511 yr Roy has won 2 national titles since becoming UNC's head coach. My point re: Dean is that no one gave him anything. He recruited the athletes, coached the athletes and won and lost with the athletes. He won far more often than he lost. Therefore, I think your comment is unfair, let alone inappropriate, considering the circumstances.
February 10, 201511 yr Darren Rovell tweeted a letter from Dean Smith to Michael Jordan after his sophomore year at UNC. Interested to read. Give him about 7-8 things he needed to work on. Heard an interview with MJ who said without Smith there would have been no Michael Jordon.
February 10, 201511 yr Roy has won 2 national titles since becoming UNC's head coach. My point re: Dean is that no one gave him anything. He recruited the athletes, coached the athletes and won and lost with the athletes. He won far more often than he lost. Therefore, I think your comment is unfair, let alone inappropriate, considering the circumstances. 1 title with his players.
February 10, 201511 yr Love this story. The part about the fight song got me. Not going to lie, that was tough for me to read. Music seems to make him happy, too. About a year and a half ago, a friend named Billy Barnes came over to the house to play guitar and sing a few songs. Barnes played old Baptist hymns and barbershop quartet tunes -- Daisy Daisy, give me your answer true. Music he knew Dean liked. But nothing seemed to get through. Dean was getting restless. Barnes asked if he could play one more song. After every basketball game, win or lose, the UNC band plays the alma mater and fight song. The Carolina people stand and sing. Barnes knew Dean had heard the song thousands of times. He started to play. Dean jumped to his feet. He waved at his wife, Linnea, to stand with him. He put his hand over his heart and sang from memory: Precious Memories -- The Dean Smith story
February 10, 201511 yr 1 title with his players. Guy just passed away and all you can do is try to tear him down and minimalize his accomplishments. Shows a complete lack of respect and a ton of immaturity.
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