Dean Smith Began Historic Coaching Career 59 Years Ago Today

Posted Aug 3, 2020
On August 3, 1961, North Carolina lost a Hall of Fame coach and gained another. Following a major recruiting scandal and rumors of point shaving, UNC Chancellor William Aycock forced coach Frank McGuire to resign and subsequently replaced him with his top assistant — Dean Smith. "It took me about 15 minutes to decide," Aycock said regarding UNC's coaching search. (Inside Carolina)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

North Carolina vs. Wyoming Basketball Preview: Tar Heels Look to Stack Performances Against Cowboys
The 2026-27 season marks the third for Wyoming basketball coach Sundance Wicks. Wyoming finished 95th nationally in KenPom rankings following last season's 18-15 record. The...
Tue Nov 10, 2026

Tar Heels in NBA: Coby White dishes out nine assists as Hornets snap losing streak
Coby White had six assists in his first three games this season. He handed out nine in 20 minutes Monday and scored a season-high 10...
Tue Nov 10, 2026

Video: Terrence Oglesby, Randolph Childress Discuss UNC Basketball
Terrence Oglesby and Randolph Childress discuss UNC Basketball and what they've seen from Michael Malone's Tar Heels over the first few games of the season,...
Tue Nov 10, 2026

Maximo Adams' Energy on Full Display Early In UNC Basketball Career
In early stages of the 2026-27 college basketball season, UNC freshman Maximo Adams has emerged as a critical sixth man off the bench. His success...
Tue Nov 10, 2026