By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/late-unc-coach-dean-smith-left-200-former-players-dinner Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Late UNC coach Dean Smith left $200 each to former players for ‘dinner’ Nation Mar 26, 2015 4:42 PM EDT It turns out that Dean Smith, the late, legendary head coach for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team, had one last play drawn out for his former players. Smith, who passed away in February at the age of 83, requested in his will that each and every one of his former players be sent a $200 check from his trust. Players each received a letter that included a message from their former coach, asking that they “enjoy a dinner out compliments of Coach Dean Smith.” Coach Smith willed his trust to send a $200 check to each his former players following his passing. #DeanSmith pic.twitter.com/NyiBhU9taQ — Jim Dempsey (@ChestPassDemps) March 26, 2015 Sports Illustrated calculates that Smith coached 184 players in his 36-year coaching tenure at UNC, making for a grand total of more than $36,000 paid out. While coaching from 1961 to 1997, Smith’s teams won 879 games and 2 NCAA championships. By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti is the digital video producer at PBS NewsHour. @JSkl
It turns out that Dean Smith, the late, legendary head coach for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team, had one last play drawn out for his former players. Smith, who passed away in February at the age of 83, requested in his will that each and every one of his former players be sent a $200 check from his trust. Players each received a letter that included a message from their former coach, asking that they “enjoy a dinner out compliments of Coach Dean Smith.” Coach Smith willed his trust to send a $200 check to each his former players following his passing. #DeanSmith pic.twitter.com/NyiBhU9taQ — Jim Dempsey (@ChestPassDemps) March 26, 2015 Sports Illustrated calculates that Smith coached 184 players in his 36-year coaching tenure at UNC, making for a grand total of more than $36,000 paid out. While coaching from 1961 to 1997, Smith’s teams won 879 games and 2 NCAA championships.