Yes, Dean Smith was a liberal Democrat. Yet, he was too much of an old fashioned Southern Gentleman and one helluva basketball coach and mentor of young people to let that truly define him. He did not live for politics; he lived to influence and shape the character of young men. I spent a large part of my formative years watching Carolina basketball. My understanding of the game, and the appreciation of what “The Carolina Way” meant to the development of a young man was totally due to Coach men. From a Tarheel born and bred, God bless him. Requiescat in pace, Coach. Crash the boards.
I also grew up watching him dominate the ACC and that includes Dook and the Dook coach. Smith’s winning record against Dook was not even close and he had a winning record at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The best thing that ever happened to Dook basketball was Dean Smith retiring.