Sad news in the college basketball world this morning as legendary University of North Carolina coach, Dean Smith died this morning at age 83. The school said in a statement Sunday from Smith’s family that the Hall of Fame coach died at his home Saturday night. He was with his wife and five children. Smith is partially responsible for the careers of so many NBA players, and obviously most notably, Michael Jordan.
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Smith had health issues in recent years, with the family saying in 2010 he had a condition that was causing him to lose memory.
Smith coached the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997, going 879-254 and retiring as the winningest coach in college basketball history. North Carolina won NCAA championships in 1982 and 1993 and reached the Final Four 11 times under Smith.
“We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as arrangements are made available to the public. Thank you,” Smith’s family said in the statement.
Smith coached Hall of Fame players Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo and Billy Cunningham, won 13 Atlantic Coast Conference tournament titles and coached the U.S. Olympic team to the gold medal in 1976.
