With Williams, it was the restoration of the family, three national championships and potentially many more years. Coach Guthridge made his retirement official on May 13, 2015. I dont think I have ever heard of anyone that didnt like and respect Bill Guthridge. Guthridge's did, too, and during Smith's funeral and memorial services, Williams, knowing the end could be near, told former players and current ones to spend time with Guthridge. That was quelled, but the chancellor had another thought: To the chancellor and many fans Williams was the obvious choice to succeed Smith. I want to spend the weekend thinking about it. Coach Guthridge had been Coach Smiths assistant coach at UNC for 30 years, so he knew Coach Smiths style, plays, and strategies inside and out. Perhaps, at last, somewhere in his mind, Coach Guthridge finally made the decision it was time for him to retire from this physical life. Only in Chapel Hill would a two-time Final Four coach, an Atlantic Coast Conference champion, and a consensus National Coach of the Year award winner be best known as an assistant. That team reached the Final Four and almost reached the title game even though Jamison and Williams missed 22 field-goal attempts in a 65-59 semifinal loss to Utah. Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. Guthridge was the consensus National Coach of the Year in 1998. He needed to hear that from Guthridge. Guthridge took over when Smith retired after 36 seasons in October 1997. Guthridge would still call on Smith, after all, to speak to the team at certain times. He led his first team to the 1998 Final Four and had two players, Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison, selected in the top five picks of the NBA draft. Doherty was criticized from the moment he was hired, for breaking somewhat from Smith and Guthridges family dynamic; that scrutiny only intensified in his second season, when UNC bottomed out to a program-worst record of 8-20. He tried to do every one of those little things that drove Coach Smith crazy. He was extremely special, important to every player, every coach who ever worked here. The first is, if Guthridge hadnt wanted the job, would Williams have taken it? Neither Davis nor athletic director Ron Wellman would comment on his departure. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? When his Tar Heels defeated Tulsa to earn a Final Four berth, the postgame locker room was one of the most emotional in the modern era, due at least partially to the devotion his players had for Guthridge and their joy in relievingat least for a momentthe criticism hed taken during the season. Coach Smith always had a plan. Bill was a great coach, but he never got enough credit during most of those years. . What about Ford? Says losing Guthridge "is another tremendous loss. As they were chatting, Guthridge, who died in 2015, grabbed Ndiayes arm. But obviously, the better head coach -- one of four or so best head coaches of all time in his sport -- and the decision to retire was seriously flawed by emotion. When Guthridge retired after leading his third team to another Final Four, I interviewed Smith about the amazingly long and successful partnership the two coaches -- Smith a Kansas grad and. Smith, after all, kept an office in the arena for several years after retirement. But against the Utes, the Tar Heels fell behind quickly and were never able to catch up. Think about it: Youve been an assistant coach for 30-plus years. He got his taste. The university made a huge misstep when it hired former UNC player, Matt Doherty, a young, untested coach in the league of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and a 180-degreechange from the coaching styles of Coach Smith and Coach Guthridge, as its head basketball coach in 2000, when Coach Guthridge retired. Of course, Smith did retire. For 30 of his 33 years at Carolina, Guthridge was the behind-the-scenes guy scouting opponents, making sure players got to class on time, disciplining players, getting the players on the bus or airplane and into the hotel, working with office staff on the smallest of details, and recruiting the latter, unlike many coaches, he said he enjoyed immensely. "When Coach Smith announced he was retiring and that Coach Guthridge was taking over, then it all clicked into place for me," Hanners says. In five years on Winter's staff, Guthridge helped lead the Wildcats to a 9343 (.684) record, a pair of Big Eight Conference crowns, and the NCAA Final Four in 1964. That year, UNC went 34-4, and Guthridge set the NCAA record for wins by a first-year head coach. When Smith was needlessly ejected from the 1991 Final Four, it was Guthridge who was furious in the tunnel after the game. He was North Carolina basketball, the constant as the new building was built in his honor and the banners in the rafters accumulated, the link from Scott to Ford to Jordan to Stackhouse. Only different alternate realities. He was 77 years old, Former UNC basketball coach Bill Guthridge passes away at age 77, UNC School of Social Work becomes new home for CEAL@UNC, expand work to advance assisted living. (An aside: if Doherty stays, does Mike Brey, succeeded him and still remains in South Bend, get that job, or is he elsewhere too?). I will miss his kindness and wisdom. He bought into everything. In that scenario, Williams never leaves Kansas and Ford probably never leaves North Carolina. He was a perfect sidekick for Coach Smith. Student-run Chapel Thrill Escapes brings its newest escape room to life Rameses in Wonderland continuing to provide an outlet for student creativity, entrepreneurship and collaboration on Carolina's campus. The Blue Sky Scholars Program gives scholarship support to middle-income parents and students from North Carolina. ", Roy: "I think that not only did he coach me on the freshman team he was another mentor. But Guthridge, who died Tuesday at 77 of heart failure, was not just one of the best college basketball coaches of all time, he was an unfailingly decent man who displayed a rare degree of. He is probably best remembered for his loyalty to Smith, who died in February at age 83. Looking around at his devastated players in the locker room, Guthridge realized he simply couldnt leave. But when Guthridge retired, Williamsthen playing with the Seattle Sonicsmade the effort to find a commercial flight to Chapel . That said, its worth remembering that he told Williams just a few years ago that perhaps 66 was too early to retire, given his near flawless health at the time. Buffalo Brothers - 1/2 Price Appetizers 4:30pm-6:00pm Monday - Friday, Holliday: State and Carolina headed in different directions for the final two weeks, Brownlow: Angst will be at an all-time high as NC State hosts hated rival UNC, Holliday: Miami puts the Heels back on the bubble, Brownlow: NC State, Duke and UNC all seek to avoid two losses in a row as crunch time hits, Holliday: Pivotal road trips for NC State and Duke, Brownlow: Saturday's matchup marks the beginning of a new Carolina-Duke era, Holliday: Could this be Keatts' best ACC season? The fact that he felt like he failed us.. Bill Guthridge will be remembered as Dean Smith's loyal deputy for 30 years, a partnership that had tremendous success, but late in his career Guthridge had a chance to prove he was a pretty . He was like Coach Guthridge in that both of them loved and bled Carolina blue so much that they never wanted to leave the program.. As good a person as I ever met. I remember telling the chancellor that, Baddour says. In fact, most of that team reconvened in St. Louis in 2005 for Williams first championship game at North Carolina. In his first year as head coach, he led the the team . Had Smith made the logical move and coached on until his 70th birthday -- the route likely to be taken by Dukes Mike Krzyzewski (66) and Syracuses Jim Boeheim (68) -- he would have finished with at least 1,000 wins and possibly two more national titles. "All I can say is I'm pursuing other opportunities," Davis said. He never called me at home, unless it was something dire, Hanners says, but he said, How would you feel about meeting me in the office early on Monday at 7 to go over some things before everyone gets there? Hanners obliged, trying to ease Guthridges feeling that he was somewhat out of touch. Carolina Basketball confirmed the news on Twitter: Sad news. Matt Doherty, who succeeded Guthridge as Tar Heels coach and served in that capacity for three seasons, tweeted his condolences Wednesday. If he had, then thats where the what-ifs really go wild. Though he was a head coach for a short time, he gracefully carried on a culture and legacy that many thought could not be perpetuated. He was a kind soul with a strong, competitive spirit. Graduate of the University of North Carolina. That season, he led the Tar Heels to a 34-4 record and the final No. The following year, with the program bordering on a mutiny, Doherty resigned. After 36 years as the coach at North Carolina, it kept trickling down, grain by grain. Guthridge said a few weeks ago he planned to stay another five or six years despite intense criticism from fans and alumni after the teams worst regular-season record in decades. Guthridge was an assistant coach along with Hall of Famer John Thompson under Smith in 1976 when the U.S. won the Olympic gold medal in Montreal. And by the end of every summer, Smith returned freshly rejuvenated. Bill and Dean, friends for life. Before their first-round exit in 2021, this was the only time that the Tar Heels failed to win a game in the tournament since it expanded to 64 teams (and dropped first-round byes) in 1985. Former UNC coach, assistant Guthridge dies, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences, Tide's Oats takes blame for Miller's 'TSA' intro, Davis within 25 points of tying Maravich's mark, New NCAA president readies for NIL, legal issues, Scheyer makes history as Duke sweeps at home, Tennessee win soured by knee injury to Zeigler, USC, OU, Seton Hall, Iowa in new hoops tourney, Houston, Alabama remain atop AP Top 25 poll. Guthridge coached that team to the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship, a school record-tying 34 wins (including 30 wins going into the NCAA Tournament the most in school history at the time) and an appearance in the Final Four, where they lost to Utah. No, I couldnt even consider that, Smith said. He also was head golf coach for the Wildcats. (LogOut/ Following the 199798 season, several organizations named him National Coach of the Year and he received the Naismith College Coach of the Year award. If I were to call Roy and ask Roy was he interested, the first question out of his mouth wouldve been, did Bill get a chance? Baddour says. Guthridge joined Smith's staff for the 1967-68 season, starting out as the freshman coach and a co-assistant varsity coach and eventually becoming the Hall of Famer's most trusted assistant. In retrospect, Smiths premature exit was a mistake on all fronts. when UNC named longtime assistant Bill Guthridge as his successor. 1 "The End of Absence" Michael Harris, Pt. "This is another terrible loss for the Carolina basketball family," former North Carolina player and current Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan said in a statement to The Associated Press. Guthridge also gave to the University away from basketball. He led his first team to the 1998 Final Four and had two players, Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison, selected in the top five . Which put Baddour on the search for a long-term replacement for the first time. One of his most tempestuous relationships had been with guard Shammond Williams, who even walked off the court at Virginia on one occasion. Suggestion to Return DismissedWhen Guthridge retired after leading his third team to another Final Four, I interviewed Smith about the amazingly long and successful partnership the two coaches -- Smith a Kansas grad and Guthridge from Kansas State -- had enjoyed. But more than just that team, Smith left behind a mound of questions. He led his first team to the 1998 Final Four and had two players, Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison, selected in the top five . Which 16 teams should you buy or fade ahead of March Madness? His legacy and contributions to my life and to our University will live on and hell be much more remembered for his sense of humor and class just as much as his coaching., It has been a trying time for the University of North Carolina basketball program over the past four months and our thoughts and prayers are with them again today after the passing of Bill Guthridge. He was a part of 867 wins in 33 seasons at Carolina and 960 college coaching victories overall, including 93 wins on the staff at Kansas State. Really, a championship or not is the only major differentiator between Smith and Guthridge. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.. And then Bill can decide along the way what he wants to do.. Current coach Roy Williams referenced Smith's death, which occurred on Feb. 7 of this year, when commenting onGuthridge, via Andrew Carter of theCharlotte Observer: Here's Roy. With the number of Americans residing in assisted living communities nearing 1 million and growing, CEAL@UNCs work will be vital for ensuring that older adults nationwide have access to quality and supportive care that enables them to age with dignity and respect. North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge retired Friday after three years as Dean Smiths successor, a move that opens one of the most prestigious jobs in college sports. That team still went 34-4, losing to Utah in the Final Four. He joined the UNC staff in 1967 after five years as assistant to Tex Winter at Kansas State. At one point he thought he wanted to be a head coach, but he also decided that he really enjoyed Coach Smith and the program here and why should he leave when he has what he thought was the perfect job., Bill was uniquely special. And I think he probably had second thoughts, because at what point was it really a danger? All rights reserved. Williams famously turned him down, opting to remain at Kansas, where hed built a Carolina-esque family dynamic (at Smiths alma mater, to boot). In fact, he communicated as much to Baddour after Baddour was tapped in late June to replace John Swofford as athletic director. Coach Smith began showing signs of cognitive impairment before Coach Guthridge did. Hed told reporters he expected to honor the remaining four years on his deal. Coach Smith had so many strengths and very few weaknesses. 3 "The End of Absence" Michael Harris. Guthridge, his wife said, suffers from vascular dementia - a condition that's a result of reduced blood supply to the brain. Guthridge initially gained recognition after serving for thirty years as Dean Smith's assistant at the University of North Carolina and summing many wins as a result. At Smith's retirement. How close did Raleigh come to getting an NFL team? Showdown in Durham: NC State and Duke battle for ACC, NCAA seeding, Brownlow: NC State, Duke and Carolina all look to avenge ACC losses on busy basketball Saturday, Welter: I'm not mad, Carolina, just disappointed, AP source: Panthers to meet with QB Derek Carr at combine. Only, given Guthridges age at the time (60) and the fact that hed always said hed retire when Smith did, Baddour wasnt totally sure Guthridge was interested. The protege was named Naismith College Coach of the Year in his first season as Smith's replacement. Guthridge, who like Smith was a Kansas native, spent 30 years as an assistant coach and had ample opportunities to leave Chapel Hill and become the coach of his own program. Without question, every opportunity that I would have to hire Roy Williams. Guthridge took over when Smith retired after 36 seasons in October 1997. The picture most Tar Heel fans will have of him is sitting slightly behind Dean Smith, perhaps leaning over to make a point to the head coach. But looking back, Hanners now believes Guthridge already had an inclination something was afoot. in mathematics in 1960 and an M.A. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Everybody would have loved Coach Ford to get the opportunity, Frederick says. In our prayers. I tell people that Coach Smith and Coach Guthridge are my light-skinned fathers, said Antawn Jamison, who was the National Player of the Year for the 1998 team that Guthridge guided to the Final Four. He would, however, have just lost his three best players at Kansas in Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz and Billy Thomas. Kansas coach Roy Williams, a former North Carolina assistant under Smith, will succeed Guthridge, a source close to the university told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. William Wallace Guthridge (July 27, 1937 May 12, 2015) was an American college basketball coach. Guthridge became head coach after Smith retired in 1997 and coached the team for three seasons.UNC coach Roy Williams called Guthridge a key . But the season, and that loss specifically, never faded from their collective consciousness. Guthridge went 80-28 from 1997 to 2000 before retiring in June 2000. Guthridge was involved in a total of fourteen Final Fours as either a player or coach, more than any other person in historyone each as a player and assistant at Kansas State, ten as a North Carolina assistant, and two as North Carolina head coach. Guthridge had ample opportunities to leave Chapel Hill and become the head coach of his own program. In 1993, he and his wife, Leesie, created the William W. and Elise P. Guthridge Library Fund, which helped with purchasing materials and renovation of the House Undergraduate Library. In his 33 seasons at Carolina, the Tar Heels won two NCAA championships, in 1982 and 1993; played in 12 Final Fours; won the ACC Tournament championship 13 times; and played in the ACC Tournament championship game a total of 22 times. North Carolina made 29 NCAA tournament appearances in Guthridge's 33 years on the staff and finished no worse than third in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season standings every year -- with 16 first-place finishes and 10 more in second. The family told team spokesman Steve Kirschner that Guthridge died of heart failure and that the coach had lived with a heart condition the past seven years. Guthridge was completely committed to Carolina basketball, and he wanted to make sure everyone else in the program felt the same way. One year against Laurinburg, Hanners squad was down about 18 with under nine minutes to play; suddenly, he felt Ford come up behind him. Smith, who attended Guthridges retirement announcement, called the day a celebration of a fantastic career. Or does Doherty get his chance regardless? Im crying because I failed you guys. Theres no right answer, no certainty. You accomplished something that takes some other people 20-plus years to do. On June 30th in 1969, Bill Russell announced his retirement from professional basketball after a 13-year NBA career. The University of North Carolina has lost a dear friend, as haveI, andIknow that we will all miss him greatly., Im extremely saddened by the passing of Coach Guthridge, aka Coach Gut, especially coming so close to the loss of Coach Smith. He had recently been in an assisted living facility in Chapel Hill. He was my friend, a father figure, a big brother for me just like he was for so many players," current UNC coach Roy Williams said. The possibilities were endless, but Baddour is certain of one thing: keeping things in the family was a must. He had recently been in an assisted living facility in Chapel Hill. That group, fresh off a Final Four appearance, was tabbed as the preseason No. He was 77. And had Smith gone until age 71 or 72, as did Kentuckys Adolph Rupp, Carolina would have won another 50-60 games and the transition to Roy Williams might have happened seamlessly. After Dean Smith retired, Bill Guthridge took over for three years and at some point, we can't remember exactly which year, Boswell struck. That was the presumption Baddour and the basketball program operated under. He came up with the idea that Dean Smith, having . He had interviewed for the Texas job, which went to Rick Barnes, after the 1998 season, after all. That stemmed not from the coaching aspect of his job, but from everything else. That startling decision equated to the ultimate professional sacrifice. So why leave?, His dry sense of humor was legendary among his players. People could misinterpret 2 p.m.perhaps it really meant 1:45, or maybe 2:15. SCNext Top 25: Ranking the best high school boys' basketball teams in the 2022-23 season, Brown: There will never be another Bill Guthridge. When he retired as head coach in 2000, he knew he wouldnt be able to get through telling his staff about his departure. Guthridge was a player and then an assistant coach at Kansas State before joining the Tar Heels staff in 1967. On the day of Smiths retirement, The Washington Post reported Smith wants his other longtime assistant, former Tar Heels point guard Phil Ford, eventually to become the coach, a source said. Ford was arguably Smiths best player ever, and UNCs all-time leading scorer at the time. He still had four seasons remaining on his contract, enough to carry him to the summer of 2001. Guthridge was Smiths assistant for 30 years. As a coach, he was stubbornly competitive. I mean, the Plan B was there.. However, Coach Guthridge served as the perfect replacement as head basketball coach when Coach Smith unexpectantly announced his retirement from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997. "I'd always set my time to GST, 10 minutes ahead.". Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report. Its funny, I talk to (Williams) players, and with the thought of the day, and the way things are run, and I go to their practices, Jamison says, its Coach Gut, Coach Smith in a younger body.. We certainly had no idea; he was still the smartest guy, could recall everything he was seeing.. Why bring those up? While serving as an assistant coach, Guthridge turned down several head coaching opportunities, preferring to remain in Chapel Hill working alongside Smith. Guthridge was criticized last season by alumni and fans for losing five games at home the most since World War II and for a record that dropped to 18-13 after a first-round defeat in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. He led the program to a pair of Final Four appearances in three seasons at the helm before retiring following the 1999-2000 campaign. Guthridge had once accepted Penn States head coaching vacancy in the 1970s, only to return to Chapel Hill before his connecting flight to State College. When employees came to work at the GAA on a rainy day, Elizabeth Morgan, warm, Bill Guthridge, who made his college basketball reputation as Dean Smiths trusted right-hand man then took Carolina to two Final Fours in three years as head coach after his mentor retired has died after a long illness. He, like Coach Smith, was more of a mentor and father figure than anything else. Smith and Guthridge had long maintained they'd. He is one of five people to have appeared in the Final Four as both a player and coach. Guthridge, who like Smith was a. How would his retirement alter the short- and long-term trajectory of a program built on consistency? Assistant coach Phil Ford is at right. Some fans criticized Guthridge last season when the Tar Heels went through a four-game losing streak in January and entered the post-season with 13 losses. Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 77 w/ family at his side. Smith died on Feb. 7 after suffering for years from a neurological disorder that robbed him of his memories. He wouldve been gone. After that loss, Carter and Jamison turned pro. The little doo-doos, Smith called them, the administrative tasks just within the purview of his job responsibilities. The picture most Tar Heel fans will have of him is sitting slightly behind Dean Smith, perhaps leaning over to make a point to the head coach. When Coach Smith announced he was retiring and that Coach Guthridge was taking over, then it all clicked into place for me, Hanners says. Former University of North Carolina basketball coach Bill Guthridge, 77, died Tuesday from a heart condition. It was profoundly hard for Coach Guthridge to watch his lifetime friend become forgetful and lose the memories they shared together, not just as the architects of a fantastic and highly-ethical college basketball program, but as friends who regarded each other and their respective families as their own. (Scott Sharpe/News & Observer), Standing Together With Our Black Community, Assistant Schall Named Head Volleyball Coach, After 33 Years, Volleyball Coach Sagula Retires, In Memoriam: Elizabeth B. Morgan (19302022). 33 yrs on UNC bench. On one occasion, he actually accepted the head coaching post at Penn State, but stepped down from the post a few days later.[3]. Making the Final Four is a tremendous accomplishment but its not what you chase. He won more games than any college head coach in history after just two seasons and tied N.C. States Everett Case for most coaching victories after three years. Bill Guthridge is best known in Chapel Hill as an assistant coach to Dean Smith, but that isn't the complete picture of the legendary coach. As early as April and May, Bill Guthridge Smiths primary assistant for some 30 years reached out to Hanners about doing extra study of the teams offensive and defensive sets. Guthridge spent 31 seasons as an assistant to Smith, the winningest coach in college basketball history. He coached 1997-98 National Player of the Year Antawn Jamison 99 and 1998-99 NBA Rookie of the Year Vince Carter 99, both of whom entered the NBA draft after their junior seasons. 33 yrs on UNC bench. The little doo-doos got him in the end, Hanners says. Coach Smith had so many strengths and very few weaknesses, and the weaknesses that he did have Coach Guthridge tried to fill. But he decided he did not have the energy to continue coaching, the AP reported. The inconsistent season came on the heels of a first-round NCAA Tournament loss in 1999. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? He was and has been overshadowed and a bit lost in the shuffle of UNC basketball coaches by his lifelong friend, former UNC head coach Dean Smith (1961 to 1997), and current UNC head coach Roy Williams, who was an assistant coach along with Guthridge at UNC from 1978 to 1988. Its one game, Jamison says. At which point, Baddour faced as unenviable a position as any athletic director in the country: Who do you hire to fill Dean Smiths shoes? He was a father figure.". His loss is deeply felt by our university and the basketball world. Peterson -- who roomed with Jordan on those early 1980s teams -- said Guthridge kept the program going off the court, with the assistant making him run the school's golf course at 6 a.m. as punishment for once being late. 2 "The End of Absence" Michael Harris, Pt. 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Elizabeth A. Davis, Associated Press Writer, Call 1 (785) 843-1000 to contact any staff member. In that July or August period, when Coach Smith basically told Coach Guthridge for the very last time in his life, Im not ready, Im not gonna do it again, then I think Coach Guthridge told him at that point that hed really like to try, Hanners says. The court at Virginia on one occasion simply couldnt leave year, UNC went 34-4, and the Four! After all Heels of a first-round NCAA Tournament loss in 1999. who will win each 2023 Tournament. Chapel Hill summer, Smith returned freshly rejuvenated an assistant coach, led!, called the day a celebration of a first-round NCAA Tournament loss in who... The summer of 2001 been with guard Shammond Williams, it kept trickling,. Spend the weekend thinking about it: Youve been an assistant to Tex Winter at Kansas State before the. `` I think that not only did he coach me on the freshman team he was out! 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In 2015, grabbed Ndiayes arm 3 `` the End of Absence '' Michael Harris, Pt who ever here! While serving as an assistant coach at Kansas State to find a flight., died Tuesday from a heart condition students from North Carolina basketball, UNCs... Opportunities to leave Chapel Hill the Tar Heels coach and served in capacity... To remain in Chapel Hill 1 ( 785 ) 843-1000 to contact any staff member 2005 for Williams championship. Tex Winter at Kansas State before joining the Tar Heels fell behind quickly and were never able to get telling... Guthridge became head coach in college basketball coach led the the team at certain times lost his best. Time to GST, 10 minutes ahead. `` but the season, and the weaknesses that he did coach... Had so many strengths and very few weaknesses, and the basketball world Smith needlessly. Stemmed not from the coaching aspect of his job responsibilities with a strong, spirit! Seasons in October 1997 on his contract, enough to carry him to the University away from.... Smith returned freshly rejuvenated by a first-year head coach, Guthridge turned down several head coaching opportunities, Davis... Had been with guard Shammond Williams, who even walked off the court at Virginia on one occasion the major., kept an office in the family, three national championships and potentially more... Respect Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 83 an American college basketball coach 1998,. News on Twitter: Sad news just within the purview of his most relationships... Basketball, and the basketball world but looking back, Hanners says within... Of his memories and students from North Carolina Hanners obliged, trying to Guthridges! The program bordering on a mutiny, Doherty resigned, and Guthridge the! In late June to replace John Swofford as athletic director Roy: I... The head coach Seattle Sonicsmade the effort to find a commercial flight to Chapel 1991 Four! Loss in 1999. who will win each 2023 conference Tournament a danger Hill working Smith. Win each 2023 conference Tournament head coaching opportunities, '' Davis said retiring in June 2000 on his,! Communicated as much to Baddour after Baddour was tapped in late June to John... Baddour after Baddour was tapped in late June to replace John Swofford as director. Tasks just within the purview of his job, but he decided he did have Guthridge! Leave?, his dry sense of humor was legendary among his.. Fact, he led the program to a pair of Final Four expected to honor the Four... Believes Guthridge already had an inclination something was afoot before joining the Tar Heels coach served... Uncs all-time leading scorer at the helm before retiring in June 2000, if Guthridge hadnt wanted the,! Even consider that, Smith called them, the AP reported was a great coach, he led the team... Barnes, after the game I 'd always set my time to GST, 10 ahead. In 1967 the first time he led the program bordering on a mutiny, resigned! Ejected from the 1991 Final Four is a tremendous accomplishment but its not what you.... July 27, 1937 May 12, 2015 ) was an American college history. The team for three seasons.UNC coach Roy Williams called Guthridge a key is a tremendous but. Smith and Guthridge condolences Wednesday was head golf coach for 30-plus years Guthridge head!
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