For sure a legendary coach and an even better person. I can say I saw his last coaching game at the final 4 in Indy in 97. A true giant of college basketball. RIP

Yes. A true American giant, really. His efforts on integration were very significant, and the fact that he never talked up his good works made abig impression, too.

"You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do the right thing." (From emory - I beleive thatis precise quote.)

Pointing at assist man, huddling at the FT line, greeting players coming back to the bench - all Coach Smith ideas. And all about teamwork and togetherness.

I lived in Chapel Hill in the early '80's and the man was pretty impressive. He and his wife once picked up my cousin and I who were hitchhiking home from junior high! He had a powder blue (they call in "Carolina blue" there) Lincoln Continental and it was summer and air conditioned. He then lectured us on the dangers of hitchhiking! My FB page lit up with all the tributes from my high school friends who all had stories of running into Dean at some point or another. He was truly a great man and will be missed.

You could tell just by looking at him that he was a true gentleman, mentor and teacher. In other words, exactly what a coach should be. RIP Coach