So long, Coach

UNC vs Wake Forest

January 1996

‘Heels win 65-59

Posted February 22, 2015

CHAPEL HILL, NC -- We have lost North Carolina’s guiding star. Coach Dean Smith passed away February 7. For a several generations of Tarheel fans he WAS Carolina basketball. He defined the Carolina Way.

Today, the University salutes his memory. We all, plus many others, will long remember the class act the man was. Would that we had him back to be our light.

I only met Coach a couple of times, but knew some family members. I was lucky to shoot a few Carolina basketball games over the years. Here is one I found in the archive last week and digitized. Besides Coach Smith, there are photos of Phil Ford, Bill Guthridge, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Jeff McInnis, Dante Calabria, and Shammond Williams.

So long Coach Smith and thanks for the inspiration.