Hall of Fame College Basketball Coach. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he was college basketball's winningest coach with 879 victories. He guided the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to a NIT Championship in 1971 and two NCAA Titles (1982 and 1993). During his tenure of thirty-six years (1961 to 1997) at UNC, he coached such basketball greats as James Worthy, Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. Additionally, Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown played for Smith. His father was a successful high school coach, Smith attended the University of Kansas and was a member of the 1952 Jayhawks' squad which captured the National Championship under legendary coach Forrest "Phog" Allen. He graduated with degrees in Mathematics and Physical Education. After college, he served with the United States Air Force and coached the Air Force basketball team. In 1958, he was hired as an assistant at the University of North Carolina under legendary coach Frank McGuire and succeeded him as head coach in 1961. During the course of his career, Smith was known as an innovative force who devised the "Four Corners" offense and the "Foul-line huddle." Additionally, Smith coached the US Men's Olympic Team to a gold medal during the 1976 Summer Games. In 1997, he was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. He died of complications from dementia.
Hall of Fame College Basketball Coach. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he was college basketball's winningest coach with 879 victories. He guided the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to a NIT Championship in 1971 and two NCAA Titles (1982 and 1993). During his tenure of thirty-six years (1961 to 1997) at UNC, he coached such basketball greats as James Worthy, Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. Additionally, Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown played for Smith. His father was a successful high school coach, Smith attended the University of Kansas and was a member of the 1952 Jayhawks' squad which captured the National Championship under legendary coach Forrest "Phog" Allen. He graduated with degrees in Mathematics and Physical Education. After college, he served with the United States Air Force and coached the Air Force basketball team. In 1958, he was hired as an assistant at the University of North Carolina under legendary coach Frank McGuire and succeeded him as head coach in 1961. During the course of his career, Smith was known as an innovative force who devised the "Four Corners" offense and the "Foul-line huddle." Additionally, Smith coached the US Men's Olympic Team to a gold medal during the 1976 Summer Games. In 1997, he was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. He died of complications from dementia.
Bio by: C.S.
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