Dean Smith Left Former Players $200 Each to ‘Enjoy a Dinner Out’

Before his death in February, former North Carolina coach Dean Smith directed his trust to send $200 to each of the 180 players he coached during his tenure at UNC wfor each of them to “enjoy a dinner out.’’ Ellen Ozier/Reuters

By Jeff Pini

March 26, 2015

1 minute to read

Hall of Fame basketball coach Dean Smith passed away last month, but the North Carolina legend is still giving to his former players.

The college basketball icon directed his trust to send out letters to all lettermen he coached at UNC containing the following message, which included a check for $200 with the message “enjoy a dinner out compliments of Coach Dean Smith,’’ as seen in the letter below addressed to Dante Calabria, who played for Smith from 1992 through 1996.

The Associated Press verified with Tim Breedlove, trustee of the Dean E. Smith Revocable Trust, that the letters were genuine.

Smith died on Feb. 7 at the age of 83. He coached the Tar Heels for 36 seasons from 1961 through 1997, won 13 ACC tournament titles, appeared in 11 Final Fours, and won two NCAA national championships to UNC. His 879 wins ranks him fourth all-time behind Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim and Bob Knight.