Editor's Note:
Donnie Walsh, who serves as a consultant for the Indiana Pacers, played college basketball at the University of North Carolina. Before the start of Walsh's senior year, Dean Smith was announced as the new head coach. That 1961-62 Tar Heels roster also included former Pacers coach Larry Brown. Coach Smith, who coached two NCAA national championship teams and the 1976 Olympic gold medal team, passed away last night at his home in North Carolina. The following is a statement from Donnie Walsh about Coach Smith.
"The announcement of the passing of Dean is a sad time for all the members of the North Carolina basketball and University family. He was a wonderful man and mentor and he was one of the largest influences in my life. The basketball world in general will mourn his passing and celebrate the many innovations he brought to the game but his legacy to all of us was as a decent and caring gentleman. Our coach and mentor."
– Donnie Walsh