Dean Smith’s gift: ‘He made you feel special,’ rival coaches say

Posted Feb 22, 2015
It was halftime, and Les Robinson’s East Tennessee State team was getting drilled by the North Carolina Tar Heels, slogging its way to a 118-65 loss and a 7-21 season in 1987. A frustrated Robinson exited the locker room to find Dean Smith in the hallway, smoking his usual halftime cigarette. “Les,” the legendary UNC coach said, “I’m sorry about this. Is there anything I can do?” (Charleston Post and Courier)

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