Dean Smith's coaching genius, character showed in early struggles

Posted Feb 13, 2015
The booming baritone voice on the other end of the line left no doubt about a willingness to tackle the subject of Dean Smith’s early days. I think he called me “Holliday.” Lee Shaffer often does when he wants to make a passionate point about Carolina basketball: “People have no idea,” he said, “what Dean Smith inherited.” (WRAL Sports Fan)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: Caleb Wilson 2026 Pre-NBA Draft Tape
North Carolina superstar forward Caleb Wilson is entering the 2026 NBA Draft after an amazing freshman season that was cut short by injury. The Atlanta...
Fri Jun 5, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball Backup PG Targets, Baseball Super Regional
UNC Basketball could benefit from another point guard on the roster. Several names are still in the transfer portal that would make solid backup PG...
Fri Jun 5, 2026

UNC Men's Basketball To Host Arkansas in ACC/SEC Challenge
UNC Basketball assistant coach Chuck Martin will face his old boss when Arkansas visits the Tar Heels in next season’s ACC/SEC Challenge. The Tar Heels...
Fri Jun 5, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Basketball's Bench Potential, Baseball Super Regional
We often discuss UNC Basketball's starting lineup and how important it is, but we all know how critical the depth pieces are behind that. Who...
Thu Jun 4, 2026