On This Date 25 Years Ago: Dean Smith Retires

Posted Oct 9, 2022
On October 9, 1997, legendary North Carolina men's basketball coach Dean Smith shocked the college basketball world, announcing his retirement after 36 seasons. Long-time assistant Bill Guthridge would take over as the program’s head coach. Even 25 years later, UNC Basketball still honors Smith's mantra: "Play Hard. Play Smart. Play Together." (Keeping It Heel)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: TarHeel247 Podcast - Angelo Brizzi Scouting Report
With Buffalo transfer point guard Angelo Brizzi committing to UNC Basketball last week, college basketball recruiting analyst David Sisk and Jacob Turner of 247Sports dive...
Mon Jul 6, 2026

Pete Nance Waived By Milwaukee Bucks
With the Milwaukee Bucks having 17 rostered players, cuts were going to have to happen at some point, and former North Carolina forward Pete Nance...
Mon Jul 6, 2026

Top 10 UNC victories during the 2025-26 school year
From trips to California, Utah, Texas, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, and New York to an 11-day stay in Omaha, Tar Heel Tribune covered the ups and...
Mon Jul 6, 2026

Former UNC guard Andrew Platek preparing for first season as high school basketball head coach
While high school athletics are done for the summer, Andrew Platek will be hard at work; preparing for his first season as the head coach...
Sun Jul 5, 2026