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

Caleb Wilson Emerging as Vocal Leader for UNC Basketball
In an effort to grow as a leader, UNC freshman forward Caleb Wilson used Wednesday's beatdown of Notre Dame as an opportunity to address issues...
Thu Jan 22, 2026

Tar Heels reclaim defensive identity after thumping Notre Dame
For four games, UNC's defense had slipped from its identity to anxiety-inducing, a talking point that lingered through three losses. But, on Wednesday, the No...
Thu Jan 22, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - The Death of the NCAA
Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss the latest mess the NCAA has created with the ruling that Charles Bediako is now eligible...
Thu Jan 22, 2026

UNC Men's Basketball Game At Virginia Moved To Noon Saturday
Due to the forecast of a winter storm hitting the Mid-Atlantic region this weekend, the University of North Carolina's men's basketball game at Virginia on...
Thu Jan 22, 2026