It will never be the same. That was the reaction many fans felt after hearing the news of North Carolina basketball Coach Dean Smith's retirement last Thursday.
After 36 years of revolutionizing the game of basketball, Dean Smith not only became the all-time winningest collegiate coach with a record of 879-254, but he also became a model for the game. Coach Smith epitomized stability, excellence and class, leading the Tar Heels to 33 consecutive years of top three finishes in the ACC.
Coach Smith also led North Carolina to 13 ACC titles, 11 Final Four appearances, and two National Championships. He transformed the ACC into a dominant and highly respected conference not only because of his achievements, but also because of his impeccable ability to run a clean and honest program.
North Carolina will definitely miss Coach Smith's knack for recruiting and the presence he brought to the arena. College basketball fans around the country will cherish the respect and class he possessed.
"I think it's a great thing for him to do. His legacy will be there forever, and he'll go down as one of the top three college coaches of all time. It was a great honor for me to compete against him, not only as a coach but as a player," Coach Bobby Cremins remarked.
Georgia Tech did not fair very well against Coach Smith surmounting a 13-40 record against him with 11 of those wins coming under the guidance of Cremins. Tech did, however, manage to win two out of four ACC tournament games against North Carolina.
Longtime assistant Bill Guthridge will replace Smith as head coach of the Tar Heels. North Carolina and the rest of the ACC will remain strong despite the retirement, but the games will never be the same; there will no longer be the same mystique around the league as there was when the legendary Dean Smith patrolled the sidelines.
