Dean Smith
John Feinstein travels back roads in new book
Tom Shanahan Feb 29 2020John Feinstein’s career covering college basketball spans all the main roads to the Final Four and beyond.His books on the college game have provided the reader unique access to legendary coaches Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith, Jim Valvano (The Legends Club) and others. One coach...
Coach K turning to his leadership lessons
Tom Shanahan Feb 28 2020By Tom Shanahan Special to the TimesDuke coach Mike Krzyzewski learned leadership at a foremost institution for developing leaders — West Point. After all, before he was a basketball coach, he was a retired U.S. Army captain.Coach K’s success has led to writing three books on his...
Williams has one disagreement with Smith
Tom Shanahan Jan 24 2020CHAPEL HILL – Roy Williams lives by unwritten philosophies he began learning from Dean Smith upon arrival in Chapel Hill 51 years ago to play on North Carolina’s freshman team. He never disagrees with his mentor. Until now. “I am mad at Coach Smith right now, to be honest with...
Roy Williams is poised to pass Dean Smith
Tom Shanahan Jan 3 2020CHAPEL HILL – Winning college athletic programs are often taken for granted. One assumption not to make, though, is that’s an easy transition for an assistant coach to pick up where his mentor left off. Sometimes there are hiccups before a blue blood re-establishes itself. At...
Ol Roy keeps alive good old days with Dean
Tom Shanahan Oct 13 2019CHARLOTTE – As North Carolina took its turn on stage at the ACC basketball media day, the dominant subject was the Tar Heels blending their new roster. They have an influx of newcomers following the loss of four starters and six players in all.Roy Williams, with seniors Garrison...
Lipscomb travels reverse Tobacco Road
Tom Shanahan Apr 3 2019Tobacco is no longer North Carolina’s economic engine, Tobacco Road as an old label for college basketball in the state and Lipscomp University is located in Nashville, Tenn. But there is still a reverse Tobacco Road trip for the Bison to complete. Lipscomb, which won three NIT...
South Carolina taps ACC roots at Final Four
Tom Shanahan Mar 31 2017You probably thought South Carolina’s upset of Duke spoiled the romance of a Tobacco Road showdown. Up in smoke went the anticipated North Carolina-Duke meeting in the NCAA championship game.If so, you have overlooked South Carolina’s Tobacco Road history. ... Click here for...
The case for Duffy and Medal of Freedom
Tom Shanahan Oct 13 2016Letter to President Obama: Three years ago you presented North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a White House ceremony. Tobacco Road rivals -- indeed, the basketball nation -- united in applause. The proclamation recognized Smith’s...
Coach K speaking up a contrast to Bear Bryant
Tom Shanahan Sep 15 2016Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski spoke up the day between the NCAA and ACC pulling championship events from North Carolina over the state’s discriminatory House Bill 2. Coach K’s words are not to be taken lightly.Krzyzewski assumed the mantle as patriarch of the state’s...
USA Basketball assist from Dean Smith
Tom Shanahan Aug 28 2016Americans love college rivalries. It starts at the top with coaches, and the bloodstreams of various colors bleed through to the players and fans.With another school year upon us and USA Basketball having returned from Rio de Janeiro with a third straight Olympic gold medal, this...