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

UNC Men’s Basketball to Honor RJ Davis’ Jersey During Feb. 23 Game vs. Louisville
UNC Men's Basketball will honor R.J. Davis’ No. 4 jersey at halftime of the Tar Heels’ game vs. Louisville at the Smith Center on Monday,...
Sat Feb 21, 2026

North Carolina vs. Syracuse Basketball Preview: Tar Heels Face Road Rematch With Syracuse
With a 6-8 ACC record, the Orange sit 12th in the conference standings, but are only a half game back from ninth place. In its...
Fri Feb 20, 2026

Three things to watch in UNC Basketball’s road game against Syracuse
The great thing about basketball season, at least until the NCAA Tournament, is that even when you have a bad game there’s another one around...
Fri Feb 20, 2026

Henri Veesaar Expected to Return to Practice, Questionable for Saturday
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar is expected to return to practice in a limited fashion Friday, but his status is still uncertain ahead of...
Fri Feb 20, 2026