UNC announced this morning that legendary Tar Heel coach Dean Smith died Saturday night peacefully, surrounded by his family.
“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 family said in a statement issued by North Carolina. “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.”
During his over 40-year coaching career, Smith won two national championships, appeared in 11 Final Fours and claimed 17 regular-season conference titles. He also played an integral part in desegregating college basketball and was responsible for bring Carolina’s first black basketball player, Charlie Scott, onto the team leading the way for future Chapel Hill legends like Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Sam Perkins, Jerry Stackhouse, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, and many more.
After the announcement, an outpouring of condolences, respect, and tributes came from every corner of the sports world, which is a testament to the incredible impact Dean Smith had on the sport, people and the world.