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

Video: Terrence Brown, Matt Able UNC Basketball Pre-Season Press Conferences
North Carolina guards Terrence Brown and Matt Able speak with the media on Friday ahead of the Tar Heels 2026-27 basketball season as the team...
Fri Oct 2, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Michael Malone On The Basketball Recruiting Trail, UNC vs. ND Preview
Can Michael Malone land top-tier college basketball recruits, or will another blue-chip talent slip away, as Jordan Page appears to have done? On the gridiron,...
Fri Oct 2, 2026

Angelo Brizzi Bringing Veteran Presence to Tar Heels Backcourt
Only one player on the North Carolina basketball roster has started more college basketball games than Angelo Brizzi. Despite not playing in the 2021-22 season...
Fri Oct 2, 2026

Inside UNC Basketball’s New-Look Frontcourt
UNC's frontcourt looks a lot different entering Michael Malone’s first season in Chapel Hill. Four players stand 6-10 or taller, giving Malone a range of...
Fri Oct 2, 2026