As John Wooden said, Dean Smith was probably the best
teacher of any coach, in any sport, that ever lived. I don't know about that, but he really was a true innovator and teacher.
Greg Popovich and Mike Krzyzewski have said almost the same thing...but only regarding basketball and not all sports.
Larry Brown just about tears up anytime you mention Coach Smith's name. The reverence is surreal.
Of course, Roy Williams does too...but that's not surprise...that man tears up a lot....lol.
His former players deeply love the man.
This is no cliché'; He treated Jordan and the guy at the end of the bench the same...and actually took greater interest in his players that weren't NBA stars.
He always stood up for the underdog and disenfranchised....was not afraid to stand up for what he thought was right.
And some of his on-court successes are astonishing.
- In an era when 20 wins meant something, his teams did it 27 straight years.
- His teams went to an NCAA record 23 straight tournaments and 11 Final Fours
- As amazing as ACC basketball was back then, his teams finished in the top 3..THIRTY-THREE straight years
- They won the ACC outright 17 times
- 2 NCAA titles and 2-3 other runner-ups
The list goes on and on and on.....
His innovations were legendary and many still live on today and seem normal. here are just a few:
- huddling at the foul line
- changing defenses in the same way you change offenses
- secondary fast break
- jump-switch defense
- pointing to the man who gave you the assist for a score
- He also was a big advocate of the shot clock...even though he created the 4-corner offense to close out games
- They were high-scoring, high transition team , but no defense..no playing time.
- maybe one reason Michael Jordan was also one of the best NBA defenders ever?
In his 36 years coaching,
96% of his players graduated.
Even multi-millionaires like Jordan and Worthy would come back to Chapel Hill to finish their degrees.
- He recruited and signed the 1st black scholarship athlete at UNC...Charles Scott.
- He integrated certain restaurants and churches in his very early years there too.
- He treated people with dignity and respect.
