Dean Smith - Coaching Tree

Coaching Tree

One hallmark of Smith's tenure as coach was the concept of the "Carolina Family," the idea that anyone associated with the program was entitled to the support of others. Many of his former players and coaching staff became successful basketball coaches and executives. Smith's coaching tree includes:

• Larry Brown, a former Smith player, current head coach at Southern Methodist University; former coach of the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Bobcats; winner of championships in both the NBA (Detroit Pistons) and college (Kansas)
• Scott Cherry, former Smith player and former women's assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State University. Current head coach at High Point University, also former assistant coach at Western Kentucky University and South Carolina.
• Billy Cunningham, coach of the 1983 NBA champion Philadelphia 76ers
• Matt Doherty, former Smith player. Former head coach at Notre Dame, North Carolina, Florida Atlantic University, and Southern Methodist University; also a former assistant under Roy Williams at Kansas.
• Eddie Fogler, National Coach of the Year at both Vanderbilt and South Carolina, also former head coach at Wichita State University
• Phil Ford, former assistant coach of the Charlotte Bobcats
• Bill Guthridge, former Dean Smith's assistant coach and former UNC Head Coach, National Coach of the year at UNC
• Dave Hanners, former assistant coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. Currently assistant coach of the New Orleans Hornets.
• Michael Jordan, majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats
• George Karl, a point guard under Smith, currently head coach of the Denver Nuggets
• John Kuester, former head coach of the Detroit Pistons
• Mitch Kupchak, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers
• Jeff Lebo, head coach at East Carolina and former head coach at Tennessee Tech, Chattanooga, and Auburn
• Doug Moe, former NBA coach (Denver Nuggets) and former NBA coach of the year
• Mike O'Koren, assistant head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers
• Buzz Peterson, currently head coach at UNC Wilmington. Most recently Director of Player Personnel of the Charlotte Bobcats; previously head coach at Coastal Carolina, Tennessee, Tulsa and Appalachian State.
• King Rice, current head coach at Monmouth; former assistant at Oregon, Illinois State, Providence and Vanderbilt
• Tony Shaver, head coach at The College of William & Mary
• Pat Sullivan, assistant coach of the Detroit Pistons
• Roy Williams, former University of Kansas coach and University of North Carolina Tar Heels assistant, current North Carolina head coach