OT: Coaching legend, Dean Smith passes

johnnyvann840 · Post #1 » by **johnnyvann840** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 4:04 pm

One of the greatest ever. R.I.P.

Statement from MJ

Other than my parents nobody had a bigger influence on my life- Michael Jordan on Coach Dean Smith

JohnnyKILLroy · Post #2 » by **JohnnyKILLroy** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 4:49 pm

R.I.P. Dean Smith.

Mountain of a man. Mountain of a coach.

Through Jordan I discovered Smith. If you don't know go find out.

kyrv · Post #3 » by **kyrv** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 4:59 pm

Just heard, RIP Dean Smith!

Unreal career.

DRoseCantStop · Post #4 » by **DRoseCantStop** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 5:43 pm

R.I.P.

Lost one of the greatest today

Post #5 » by **DASMACKDOWN** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 5:54 pm

R.I.P. Coach Smith

unknownnewbie · Post #6 » by **unknownnewbie** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 5:54 pm

Great coach, but apparently even a better person. He helped desegregate college basketball by bringing the first black scholarship men's basketball player to the ACC (Charlie Scott). More than 95% of his players ended up getting their college degree. Until his memory started to go, he used to send letters/notes to many of his former players -- and not just the star ones -- to see how they were doing in their lives. I don't think I have ever heard any of his former players say one negative thing about Smith -- they all seemed to really love him.

He understood that there was more to life than basketball and I think that was part of the reason why he was so successful. Then there's the fact that John Wooden once remarked that Smith was the best teacher of the game of basketball he ever knew.

Condolences to his family.

#RIP

Bulls69 · Post #7 » by **Bulls69** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 6:17 pm

Coach Smith was just a class act RIP Coach Dean Smith.

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Polynice4Pippen · Post #8 » by **Polynice4Pippen** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 11:10 pm

Dean Smith was a giant of the game of basketball. His teams were so loaded back in the 70's and 80's, far more big time NBA talent than even Kentucky teams of today. And Dean got them all to buy in and play cohesively as a unit, share the ball, move the ball, move without the ball. And that 4 corners offense at the end of the games was annoying but deadly effective, like Mariano Rivera coming on for the save in the 9th. R.I.P. to the great Dean Smith.

d boy gentleman · Post #9 » by **d boy gentleman** » Sun Feb 8, 2015 11:57 pm

Eternal rest grant him O Lord, Amen...

johnnyvann840 · Post #10 » by **johnnyvann840** » Mon Feb 9, 2015 1:51 am

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/photo-d ... ael-jordan

dumbell78 · Post #11 » by **dumbell78** » Mon Feb 9, 2015 11:15 am

Sad day, may God grant him the peace he so richly deserves. Great coach, better man.

BullsFTW · Post #12 » by **BullsFTW** » Mon Feb 9, 2015 12:46 pm

RIP Dean Smith

JDRochholz · Post #13 » by **JDRochholz** » Mon Feb 9, 2015 6:41 pm

Pioneer. RIP

johnnyvann840 · Post #14 » by **johnnyvann840** » Mon Feb 9, 2015 6:48 pm

It's just amazing and such a testament to the man how many former players have called him their "2nd Father" and most influential person in their lives. Coach Smith truly loved his players like his sons and he cared about them as people and not just players. So touching to hear them all talk about the lessons and impact he had on so many lives of not just players, but staff and peers and just everyone he worked with. What a giant of a man.