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: Locked On Tar Heels - Is UNC Basketball A Top-25 Team At This Point?
The North Carolina Basketball coaching staff is putting together a team that they hope will contend, but are the Tar Heels a top-25 team at...
Wed May 6, 2026

Evan Smith, UNC Basketball’s last JV player, returns to play for coach Michael Malone
New UNC Basketball coach Michael Malone didn’t know much about Evan Smith, so Smith told him about himself and his journey to get on the...
Wed May 6, 2026

Roy Williams shares wisdom with Carolina seniors
Roy Williams is a basketball legend, a three-time national champion head coach, and, a proud Carolina alumnus. "You are a graduate of the University of...
Mon May 4, 2026

Newsletter: Keita Commits, Malone Visits Momo, Hansbrough to the Hall, Baseball Blasts Duke
What a week! UNC Basketball coach Michael Malone landed Sayon Keita and Cade Bennerman, recruited Momo Faye, lost Maxim Logue, and is reportedly targeting Italian...
Mon May 4, 2026