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Legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith passes away

By Mike Dyce

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Legendary North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball head coach Dean Smith has passed away at age 83.

The sports world is mourning the loss of a legend, after news hit that legendary men’s basketball coach Dean Smith had passed away in his sleep Saturday night. He was 83 years-old.

“Coach Dean Smith passed away peacefully the evening of February 7 at his home in Chapel Hill, and surrounded by his wife and five children,” the Smith family said in a statement on North Carolina’s website. “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 was at the helm of the Tar Heels program for roughly 36 years from 1961 to 1997. His resume includes two national championships, 13 ACC Tournament titles and 11 Final Four appearances.

He also won a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics with Team USA. When he retired from coaching he was the winningest coach in college basketball.

Current North Carolina head coach Roy Williams also released a lengthy statement on the school’s website.

“It’s such a great loss for North Carolina – our state, the University, of course the Tar Heel basketball program, but really the entire basketball world. We lost one of our greatest ambassadors for college basketball for the way in which a program should be run. We lost a man of the highest integrity who did so many things off the court to help make the world a better place to live in.

“He set the standard for loyalty and concern for every one of his players, not just the games won or lost.

“He was the greatest there ever was on the court but far, far better off the court with people. His concern for people will be the legacy I will remember most.

“He was a mentor to so many people; he was my mentor. He gave me a chance but, more importantly, he shared with me his knowledge, which is the greatest gift you can give someone.

“I’m 64 years old and everything I do with our basketball program and the way I deal with the University is driven by my desire to make Coach Smith proud. When I came back to Carolina, the driving force was to make him proud and I still think that today.

“I’d like to say on behalf of all our players and coaches, past and present, that Dean Smith was the perfect picture of what a college basketball coach should have been. We love him and we will miss him.”

Here are a compilation of messages from current and former players, via For The Win:

Jackson Simmons, senior:

Sean May, 2002-05:

Jawad Williams, 2001-05:

Marcus Ginyard, 2005-10:

Justin Watts, 2008-12:

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