To say that the name ‘Dean Smith‘ carries weight would be a seriously gross understatement. At first mention, one’s mind immediately goes to an era of UNC Chapel Hill Basketball that changed young men’s lives while changing the face of college basketball. However, for those who had the opportunity and took the time to experience the man behind the persona, they discovered that this was a man of great influence who created success stories on the basketball court, yet had an even greater impact in the lives of many off the court. The name ‘Dean Smith’ is known by many who were never basketball enthusiasts, many who were never sports fans, and many who were never North Carolinians. His celebrity status may have been initiated by his masterful coaching skills and winning records, but the man’s personal appeal was strategically shaped and masterfully crafted by his staunch character.

Sports casters, professional ball players, journalists, coaches and commentators all agree that Dean Smith was one of the most humble people they’ve ever known. When asked about the naming of ‘The Dean Dome’, he appreciated the sentiment, but he felt the building would be better named after the UNC Chapel Hill ball players. When congratulated for the part he played in helping to integrate area establishments during the height of the civil rights era, he diverted attention away from himself by stating that one should not be congratulated for just doing what is right.  From washing the dishes after a cake celebration in the team’s breakroom to writing hand written thank you notes to potential recruits (and separate letters to their parents) after a campus visit, many will remember the man as one who was unusually thoughtful and attentive to the little things.

Although coaching basketball players was his professional position, Dean Smith built relationships with his players – he became their teacher, their mentor, their second father. He was there to encourage, to correct, to instruct, to direct. Whether inviting Charles Scott (the first black scholarship athlete at the University of North Carolina) into his integrated church in 1966, checking to see if Brad Daugherty (who’d just become an NBA player) was wearing a Timex instead of a Rolex, or giving those who worked behind the scenes to support the team the same respect that he would give those who stayed in the spotlights, he clearly saw and celebrated the value of all people. His gift of identifying the not-so-obvious caused him to mold great athletes and develop better men. A running theme from the alumni of ‘The School of Dean Smith’ was that they learned more about life, humility and compassion from him than they did about basketball. Basketball greats such as Jerry Stackhouse, Vince Carter, Phil Ford, Rasheed Wallace, Sam Perkins, James Worthy, Antwan Jamison and Michael Jordan all had the benefit of that invaluable education.

Many sports programs began to imitate the strategies implemented by Dean Smith to improve their teams, and many individuals began to emulate the principles practiced by the man.  One principle is captured as a Dean Smith quote and is one of my favorites…  “What to do with a mistake:  Recognize it, Admit it, Learn from it, Forget it.”  It was this type of mindset that caused him to become a great influence across the country and to have a great impact on everyone he encountered.  Dean Smith is a legend who will be remembered not only because of what he did, but primarily because of who he was.  He shall be sorely missed.