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

Four games in, Cole Anthony is sold on the NBL
He may have only been around Australia's NBL for a few months and featured in four games, but Cole Anthony can already see the trajectory...
Wed Oct 7, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Cameron Fens' Eligibility Uncertainty
UNC Basketball faces major frontcourt uncertainty as South Dakota transfer Cameron Fens’ eligibility remains unresolved. Could this 7-foot, 255-pound big man be the key to...
Wed Oct 7, 2026

Cameron Fens won’t play, but UNC’s exhibition vs. USC will show Michael Malone 'where we’re at'
Two days after his appearance Wednesday at ACC Tipoff, Coach Michael Malone’s Tar Heels will play an exhibition game against Southern Cal at 7 p.m...
Wed Oct 7, 2026

Video: Michael Malone, Jarin Stevenson, Neo Avdalas ACC Tipoff Press Conference
North Carolina head men's basketball coach Michael Malone, guard Neoklis Avdalas, and forward Jarin Stevenson speak with the media on Tuesday morning at the annual...
Wed Oct 7, 2026