One of a Kind Coach

Dean Smith is without a doubt one of the best college basketball coaches in the history of the NCAA. I think the win total speaks for itself, and in this book he tells just how he has made it to that milestone. He gives details on his philosophy and past players weigh in on Smith's coaching. This is good for any young coaches out there, or just basketball fans in general. This book is a must have for anyone that loves basketball.

The Dean Smith Way!...

Dean Smith is a great leader. He has won hundreds of games over the years and has accumulated many trophies that prove his worth as a coach. Great! I got that out of the way.

The Carolina Way should have been called the Dean Smith way. I believe that he would have been successful in almost any profession. He didn't try to win basketball games. He mastered the process that led to winning.

There are many coaches understand basketball X's and O's. Unlike Dean, some successful coaches walk around like they invented the basketball.The difference between Dean Smith and most coaches is his focus on working hard, working smart, and working together. Mastering these traits will help you become successful not matter what you do in life.

Who said nice guys always finish last?

This is why we love and miss Dean Smith on the Sidelines!

A year or so after Dean Smith's retirement from coaching the Tarheels, I was waiting on a connection flight from Charlotte and noticed a man sitting alone in the corner, fartherest away from the ramp. He had his back to me, but he looked strangely familiar. I casually got up, walked closer to determine if this was someone I knew and whether or not I should speak. About 15 feet from his seat, I noticed that it was the Dean, sitting alone, with a pen and a yellow legal pad, diagramming plays all by himself. It sounds corny, but it happened and made an indelible impression on me. After all those years, and wins - more than anyone else in college basketball history - the notion that he still had more to learn, that in 35 years, he had not already diagrammed ever possible play, was incomprehensible to me. I wanted to say hello and tell my children later in life that I had met him, but I did not disturb him. Our plane arrived, we boarded, and he walked alone to his seat. I never met him. But I feel like I already knew him having watched him from my baby crib, up to the day he retired.
And reading "The Carolina Way" brought back many memories and reminded me of not only why I am a Carolina Fan but also why he commands such deep respect and admiration. He succedded the right way, never cutting corners, and believing in a system that was based on working hard, working together and being smart. You do NOT have to be a Carolina fan to enjoy and love this book. But if you are, you won' be disappointed, either!