Former UNC head coach, longtime Dean Smith assistant Bill Guthridge dies Posted May 13, 2015 Former UNC basketball head coach and longtime assistant Bill Guthridge passed away on Tuesday night. UNC confirmed the news on Wednesday. Guthridge served as Dean Smith’s assistant for 30 years before replacing his mentor in 1998. As UNC’s head coach, Guthridge earned consensus National Coach of the Year honors in 1998 and led the Tar Heels to two Final Fours in his three seasons. (Inside Carolina)