Iconic former North Carolina coach Dean Smith passed away on Feb. 7, closing the book on one of the most remarkable basketball lives the game will ever see. Smith was voted national coach of the year four times, won two national titles, recruited Michael Jordan to the Tar Heels and coached a plethora of college stars in Chapel Hill.
As much as wins and losses, though, Smith's legend was also the result of his dignity and integrity. That legend grew again unexpectedly on Thursday.
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Smith, it turns out, willed his trust to send $200 to each and every one of his former North Carolina players upon his death. The gift came with one final directive from their old coach: To enjoy a "dinner out" on him.
Coach Smith willed his trust to send a $200 check to each his former players following his passing. #DeanSmith pic.twitter.com/NyiBhU9taQ— Jiimmm Demmpseeeyyy (@ChestPassDemps) March 26, 2015
Tim Breedlove of Miller McNeish & Breedlove, PA told theScore that about 180 checks were issued to former players, bringing Coach Smith's posthumous dinner tab to some $36,000.
The college game has missed Smith since he retired in 1997, and this sweet story is just the latest illustration why.