Dean Smith, the former University of North Carolina men’s basketball coach who retired in 1997 as the all-time leader in Division 1 victories, died Saturday night at his home. He was 83 years old. Smith coached the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997, compiling a career record of 879-254 and winning NCAA championships in 1982 and 1993. The school also reached the Final Four 11 times under Smith. “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as arrangements are made available to the public. Thank you,” Smith’s family said in the statement. At the time of his passing, Smith was surrounded by his wife and five children. Over the course of his legendary reign, Smith coached such stars as Sam Perkins, Bob McAdoo, James Worthy and Michael Jordan. Due serious health issues, wife Linnea accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Smith’s behalf from President Barack Obama in November 2013. “It’s such a great loss for North Carolina — our state, the University, of course the Tar Heel basketball program, but really the entire basketball world,” said current Tar Heels coach Roy Williams, who spent 10 years as an assistant under Smith. “We lost one of our greatest ambassadors for college basketball for the way in which a program should be run. We lost a man of the highest integrity who did so many things off the court to help make the world a better place to live in.” Last month, beloved SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott died . The reporter was also a member of the University of North Carolina family. THG sends our thoughts and prayers to Smith’s loved ones. Celebrities We Lost in 2015 1. Stuart Scott View Photo Scott was an anchor on ESPN’s SportsCenter for over 20 years. He died from cancer at the age of 49. 2. Donna Douglas View Attachment Donna Douglas of the Beverly Hillbillies passed away in early 2015. She was 81 years old. 3. Mario Cuomo View Photo Mario Cuomo has passed away at the age of 82. He was New York’s Governor from 1983-1994. 4. Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle View Attachment Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, both U.S. ski team prospects, have been killed in an avalanche. R.I.P. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. Andrae Crouch View Photo Andrae Crouch has died at the age of 72. The gospel music great passed away in January 2015. 6. Rod Taylor View Attachment Actor Rod Taylor (Time Machine, The Birds) died at the age of 84 in January. 7. Taylor Negron View Attachment Taylor Negron, a comic and actor is perhaps best known for Fast Times at Ridgemont High, died at the age of 57. 8. Anita Ekberg View Attachment La Dolce Vita actress Anita Ekberg has passed away at the age of 83. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 9. Kim Fowley View Photo Kim Fowley has passed away. The producer and one of the legendary names in punk music was 75. 10. Greg Plitt Greg Plitt was a Bravo reality star. He was 37 years old when he was struck by a train in Burbank, California. 11. ASAP Yams View Photo ASAP Yams died at the age of 26. The Harlem native played/producer a key role in creating hip hop artists from that area of New York. 12. John Sundahl John Sundahl, a former boyfriend of Britney Spears, has been killed. He was shot down in a helicopter in Afghanistan. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 13. Dallas Taylor View Attachment Dallas Taylor, the drummer for Crosby, Stills & Nash, has passed away at the age of 66 in January 2015. 14. Darren Shahlavi View Photo Darren Shahlavi is seen here on the NBC drama Constantine. The actor sadly passed away in early 2015. 15. Violetta Degtiareva View Photo Violetta Degtiareva suddently died of heart failure January 12. The Russian tennis star was just 23 years old. 16. Monty Oum View Photo Monty Oum, an animator best known for his work with Rooster Teeth, has died at the age of just 33. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 17. Dean Smith Dean Smith retired from coaching in 1997 as the winningest coach in college basketball history. He passed away at the age of 83 in February of 2015. The End. Did you like Celebrities We Lost in 2015? If so, please share: Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Email a Friend Pin on Pinterest Want more? Get more content like this delivered to your inbox for FREE:
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Dean Smith Dies; Legendary College Basketball Coach Was 83
