The college basketball world say goodbye to a legend

There are plenty of words that come to mind when you think of the legacy Dean Smith left behind at Chapel Hill. Words like, legend, champion, caring and innovator all come to mind, but the word that closely identifies him is the term selfless. Dean Smith, most known for coaching the greatest player to ever play the game in Michael Jordan and recipient of two national titles, was the coach that would do anything for his players and most of all serve as father to the ones in need.

Dean Smith, 83, passed away peacefully at his North Carolina home Saturday night. For years, Dean Smith has battled health issues that caused him to lose memory.  Michael Jordan had this to say about his former coach in a recent ESPN interview:

“Other than my parents, no one had a bigger influence on my life than Coach Smith,” Jordan said in a statement. “He was more than a coach — he was my mentor, my teacher, my second father. Coach was always there for me whenever I needed him and I loved him for it. In teaching me the game of basketball, he taught me about life. My heart goes out to Linnea and their kids. We’ve lost a great man who had an incredible impact on his players, his staff and the entire UNC family.”

Coach Roy Williams also had this to say about Coach Dean 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. He set the standard for loyalty and concern for every one of his players, not just the games won or lost. He was the greatest there ever was on the court but far, far better off the court with people.”

Coach Dean Smith was able to coach more than 50 players that eventually made the NBA and played  overseas during his tenure. He is survived by his daughters Sandy, Sharon, Kristen and Kelly as well as his one son Scott.

 Prayers out to the Smith family and Tar Heel community on the lost. More than confident the family and Tar Heel community will bounce back from this loss. Follow Drew on twitter @AndrewSomuah