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. It was Guthridge who was the creator of the well-known and slightly strange departure times for Carolina travel parties. MIAMI: Tulane athletic director Rick Dickson acknowledged he has given the school permission to talk to Green Wave coach Perry Clark about replacing Leonard Hamilton. But more than just that team, Smith left behind a mound of questions. Guthridge was the head coach of the Tar Heels for three seasons following Dean Smith's retirement in 1997. 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. He was a kind soul with a strong, competitive spirit. The ones he did have Coach Guthridge tried to fill. Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 77 w/ family at his side. He said to me, I have felt this way before, but in the early fall, Ive always gotten the energy back, and I expect that thats gonna happen, but I do want to alert you to the possibility that it might not. Whether or not deep down inside he thought that energy wouldnt come back, I dont know the answer to that. In Williams second season in Chapel Hill, he won his first national championship the one the 97 team witnessed. He was extremely special, important to every player, every coach who ever worked here. Perhaps, at last, somewhere in his mind, Coach Guthridge finally made the decision to retire from this physical life. When it was his turn as head coach, he immediately won an ACC championship and took two teams to the Final Four. Guthridge coached North Carolina to the Final Four in his first season before losing to Utah. Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 77 w/ family at his side. "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.". But it was as if the whole contraption was tilted, resting at an incline so that the sand would never get to the bottom. North Carolina made 10 trips to the Final Four and won two national championships during the time Smith and Guthridge spent together. He has saved many scholarships when he has suggested backing off certain players, and of course, has selected some great ones who matriculated at Chapel Hill., UNC coach Bill Guthridge gives instructions during a game in the 99-00 season. Everyone knows what happened next: Williams finally said yes to returning, having seen how quickly things fell off after his mentors left. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. He was a perfect sidekick for Coach Smith. Now Guthridge, 77, is enduring a similarly cruel fate . But I already had a better job than that and I was happy here. But if Williams had declined the opportunity, as he initially did a year prior? When he retired as head coach in 2000, he knew he wouldnt be able to get through telling his staff about his departure. "From cultivating a global mindset across campus to partnering with researchers across the world, we make connections that strengthen our state and establish Carolina as a leading global public research university.". He took the team to the NCAA final Four twice and was named national coach of the year in 1998, before retiring in 2000.[1]. He was on the sidelines for a record 73 NCAA Tournament victories, including 71 at Carolina and two at Kansas State. He still had four seasons remaining on his contract, enough to carry him to the summer of 2001. Just a really good man who made Carolina, the ACC and college basketball better.. Had it worked out where there wasnt a down year or whatever, maybe things end up differently, Frederick says. In fact, most of that team reconvened in St. Louis in 2005 for Williams first championship game at North Carolina. Guthridge took over when Smith retired after 36 seasons in October 1997. 2023 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. 08/08: Dean Smith to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom, 06/29/2011: Smith, Coach K, Yow honored by Naismith, 10/21/2008: UNC's Smith to receive Lapchick Character Award, 02/18/2008: ACC To Honor Dean Smith, Lorenzo Charles, other Greats, Bio Jobs Hub: Find a great-paying job that changes lives, even yours. Guthridge became head coach after Smith retired in 1997 and coached the team for three seasons.UNC coach Roy Williams called Guthridge a key . Coach Smith had so many strengths and very few weaknesses, and the weaknesses that he did have Coach Guthridge tried to fill. And I think he probably had second thoughts, because at what point was it really a danger? Which put Baddour on the search for a long-term replacement for the first time. Then there are the other options from Smiths tree: Karl and Fogler and even Larry Brown. He's a native of Raleigh, N.C. Guthridge led UNC to the Final Four in his first season, but the team fell short of a championship. A tremendously loyal person with an ego that was seemingly non-existent. One of the things that made (Smith) so special was his ability to be innovative so certainly, I think we would have had some other ways to attack in a game that we struggled, against Utah in the Final Four.. He previously worked at The Charlotte Observer as a Carolina Panthers beat reporter, and his writing has also appeared in Sports Illustrated, The Boston Globe and The Baltimore Sun. Once, in 1978, he did nearly take the head coaching job at Penn State but he changed his mind at the airport and never thought about leaving Chapel Hill again. He is probably best remembered for his loyalty to Smith, who died in February at age 83. That first five minutes, you can have all the confidence in the world, but if you go down 23-8 or 13-4, you just put so much pressure on yourself. Calhoun, elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, is . How close did Raleigh come to getting an NFL team? The team performs dazzling spins and flips at campus events and even competes against other universities and jump rope clubs from around the country. By the way, Dean Smith basically forced UNC to hire Guthridge, his long-time assistant, when El Deano suddenly retired in October 1997, just before the beginning of the hoops season. He once told a newspaper he never left the program because the other 300 Division I head coaching jobs werent better than his job as an assistant. 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. A relatively quiet man with a wonderful and dry sense of humor. Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 77 w/ family at his side. Matt Doherty, who succeeded Guthridge as Tar Heels coach and served in that capacity for three seasons, tweeted his condolences Wednesday. In 1976, he also served as an assistant coach to Smith as the United States won the gold medal in men's basketball at the Summer Olympics in Montreal. Later during that conversation, I suggested to Smith that he still had a lot of quality coaching mileage left and that maybe he should consider returning for an encore. He also was an assistant to Smith on the 1976 U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in Montreal. I needed Bill to tell me, Dick, yes, I want to do this, Baddour says, and he was clear that he wanted to.. 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. Smith was fresh off his 11th Final Four and had just passed Adolph Rupp for the most wins by any college basketball coach in history. The inconsistent season came on the heels of a first-round NCAA Tournament loss in 1999. What about Ford? 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. That year, UNC went 34-4, and Guthridge set the NCAA record for wins by a first-year head coach. He was a friend. And althoug he believes that scenario puts more emphasis on winning than it does on building relationships and teaching the things Guthridge and Smith both loved its not out of the question. If my answer was no, then Roy wouldve had absolutely zero interest. 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. Brendan Marks covers Duke and North Carolina basketball for The Athletic. He held tight. Born William Wallace Guthridge, he attended Kansas State University where he played guard on the basketball team and helped the Wildcats. He would, however, have just lost his three best players at Kansas in Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz and Billy Thomas. SCNext Top 25: Ranking the best high school boys' basketball teams in the 2022-23 season, Brown: There will never be another Bill Guthridge. Or perhaps someone else from Smiths coaching tree, such as George Karl or Eddie Fogler? He had recently been in an assisted living facility in Chapel Hill. That possibility isnt one Baddour had previously considered. #RIP. Ill really miss this next years team and what those guys have done for me, said Guthridge, whose team last season reached the Final Four before being eliminated in the semifinals. In public, he was never going to be the center of attention. He handed out handwritten notes instead. But Baddour explained to the chancellor that because of Williams respect for Guthridge, hed never have taken the job over his friend. 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. Its very much a possibility, everyone admits. Capital Financial - Learn how to secure lifetime retirement income. Born in Parsons, Kansas,[2] Guthridge attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, and graduated with a B.S. Hed grow bored of golf, and once that happened, his staff knew hed summoned up the energy for another go-around. Its not what gets remembered for the rest of your life, at least not at a place like North Carolina. Its hard, man. 33 yrs on UNC bench. Smith wanted longtime assistant Bill Guthridge (age 60 at the time) to be a head coach and enjoy the competitive and financial rewards of the job. He was a lifetime assistant coach for whom Dean did a solid. 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. Try a week on us. I dont think he went in that summer thinking, Im not gonna be the basketball coach by fall, Baddour says. The emotion was there, its just that it was often Guthridge providing it. Following Smith's retirement in 1997, Guthridge was head coach of the Tar Heels for three seasons. It didnt bother me that I was a lousy coach, and when we started winning I was a better coach. His desire to be a coach I dont think ever stopped, Hanners said. Smith and Guthridge had long maintained theyd retire together, the natural conclusion to a three-decade partnership in Chapel Hill. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? While a student at Kansas State, Guthridge played guard under head coach Fred "Tex" Winter, and helped the team advance to the 1958 Final Four. Why would you stay? There is one final thing, though, that seems to be consensus, the one aspect of this entire hypothetical that no one can seem to get over: that the reason there are still enduring questions about what Smith could have accomplished in those extra four seasons is because those are the same questions Smith himself always carried. Heading into what would have been the fourth year of a five-year contract, Guthridge compiled an 80-28 record, but had not received an extension. After graduating from Kansas State, he coached at Scott City High School in Kansas for two seasons before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach for Tex Winter from 19621967. Unfortunately, it took UNC two tries to find that leader. when UNC named longtime assistant Bill Guthridge as his successor. Hed have been a lifer, Hanners says. Guthridge, 62, said a few weeks ago that he planned to stay on another five or six years. 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. But if Smith was selfless in his handling of McAdoo, it was nothing compared to Smiths shocking retirement on Oct. 9, 1997. The school scheduled a news conference for 2:30 p.m. today. Both played college ball in that state -- Smith at Kansas, Guthridge at Kansas State -- and coached at their alma maters before coming to North Carolina. And then Bill can decide along the way what he wants to do.. 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.. 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. My time is in the past now and we have to move forward.. The team bus never left at 2 p.m. Guthridge was completely committed to Carolina basketball, and he wanted to make sure everyone else in the program felt the same way. Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. The little doo-doos, Smith called them, the administrative tasks just within the purview of his job responsibilities. Case in point. How might everything be different? But it is my opinion that he expected, when he first told me that, that he would continue to be the coach.. The 1971-72 Tar Heels had finished 26-5 but were upset by Florida State (not an ACC member at the time) in the NCAA Final Four semifinals. 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. After Dean Smith retired, Bill Guthridge took over for three years and at some point, we can't remember exactly which year, Boswell struck. I would lean a little bit toward the side of Bill saying, Look, Im not on the front end of my career, its great to have done this, what a way to go out, Baddour says. With Williams, it was the restoration of the family, three national championships and potentially many more years. You come up one year, and that year you win the national championship. 2023 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Improving child and adolescent mental health, A message from the chancellor: We are a global university, Carolina Engagement Week Returns for a Second Year, Feb. 27 Through March 3, Book Publishing I: The Process with Christopher Ahn, Parr|Bioethics Joint Lecture: Elizabeth Barnes (University of Virginia), Disability and Health: An Its Complicated Relationship, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Former University of North Carolina mens basketball coach Bill Guthridge passed away May 12. Guthridge didnt need the change, just wanted to know if he had it. Theyd had their disagreements, yes. Conference regular season champion That image of Guthridge is accurate but not complete. 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. Recharge your batteries, they told him. When he reached the decision to step down during that summer of 1997, no one could have changed his mind, even if given the opportunity to do so. Or does Doherty get his chance regardless? That was the presumption Baddour and the basketball program operated under. As an assistant, Guthridge was renowned for his success in coaching the fundamentals of pivot play to a long series of successful UNC big men, and as the Tar Heels' primary shooting coach. 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. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.. As he would prepare for a basketball practice or game, he was equally intense about attention to detail in scheduling or whatever.. He tried to do every one of those little things that drove Coach Smith crazy. End of conversation.. Theres no right answer, no certainty. Hed told reporters he expected to honor the remaining four years on his deal. What you saw was the quiet assistant sitting on the bench. He was a father figure.". Smith died on Feb. 7 after suffering for years from a neurological disorder that robbed him of his memories. He said Friday he now knows how Smith felt in 1997 when he stepped down. The guys worked hard and didnt lose confidence, Guthridge said after the season. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? 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. And as the confetti fell on UNCs first title A.D. After Dean Guthridge burst into tears alongside his former players. Because that was supposed to be something that we accomplished together.. Guthridge didn't bother to recruit Jason Williams,. "Needless to say I'm tired of having meetings like this." Only different alternate realities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Coach Smith died in January 2015 of complications from dementia, Profiles in Dementia: Zelda Fitzgerald(1900-1948), Facebook Group for Caregivers of Loved Ones with Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, and Other Age-Related Illnesses, R. E. M. Sleep Behavior Disorder (Lewy Body Dementia), The Stressors of Communication, Vision, and Hearing, The Stressors of Unmet Needs, Physical Environment, and Routines, 2015 Research Offers New Insights Into Lewy Body Dementia Part 1, 2015 Research on Lewy Body Dementia Part 2, 2016 Research on Comorbidity and the Development of Dementia, A Strange Anniversary (and Where Going Gentle Into That Good Night Had Its Roots), Antidepressant Use and the Increased Risk of Developing Dementia, Confabulation, Alcohol Abuse, & Alcohol-Related Dementia, Daylight Savings Time Effects: Dementia, Health, and Sleep, Financial Assistance for Prescription Medications, Good Sleep: A Key Factor in Neurological Health, Military Service, War, and Dementia Risks for Veterans, The Fallacy of Silver Bullet Solutions to Dementias and Alzheimers Disease, The Layperson's Guide to Alcohol-Related Dementia, The Layperson's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease, The Layperson's Guide to Dementia Medications and Supplements, The Layperson's Guide to Early-Onset Dementias, The Layperson's Guide to Hepatic Encephalopathy, The Layperson's Guide to Home Health Care, The Layperson's Guide to Lewy Body Dementia, The Layperson's Guide to Palliative Health Care, The Layperson's Guide to Primary Progressive Aphasia, The Layperson's Guide to Vascular and Multi-Infarct Dementia, The Laypersons Guide to Neural Disorders That Often Lead to Neurodegeneration and Dementia, The Laypersons Guide to Revocable Living Trusts, Guardianships, and Conservatorships, The Laypersons Guide to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), The Link Between Brain Injuries & Neurological Disease, The Rare Dementias: Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), The Rare Dementias: Fatal Familial Insomnia, The Rare Dementias: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, How Life Experiences Factor into Behavior, How Personality, Quirks, Foibles, and Flaws Factor into Behavior, How Temperament Factors Into Dementias and Alzheimers Disease, Smart Drugs, "Brain Enhancers," and "Mental Magic" (Nootropics), Comfortably Numb or All Jacked Up: Prescription Addiction, Technology and Neurology A Perfect Storm For A Lifestyle Dementia, Creating Life With Words: Inspiration, Love, and Truth, The Long and Winding Road: A Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease, "Less Medicine, More Health" H. Gilbert Welch, "Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets" Luke Dittrich, "When Breath Becomes Air" Paul Kalanithi, Bad Pharma: How Drug Companies Mislead Doctors and Harm Patients Ben Goldacre, The Tale of Dueling Neurosurgeons Sam Kean, How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America by Otis Webb Brawley, Pt. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He spurned offers to interview for head coaching vacancies, preferring to remain out of the spotlight and continuing to team with Smith. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. But if Williams had said no, as he did two years later, would Ford have been tapped for the job then? Change). He led the program to a pair of Final Four appearances in three seasons at the helm before retiring following the 1999-2000 campaign. Without question, every opportunity that I would have to hire Roy Williams. We ended up beating em easily, and I thanked him later for it, Hanners says. Everybody would have loved Coach Ford to get the opportunity, Frederick says. I wouldve gone to Roy.. In fact, Guthridge has been involved with 13 teams which have reached the Final Four-as a player at Kansas State in 1958, as an assistant coach with the Wildcats in 1964, as a Tar Heel assistant coach in 1968, 1969, 1972, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997, and as UNC's head coach in 1998.. Did Musselman coach in the NBA? We offer our deepest sympathies to Bills family, friends and the entire North Carolina basketball community.. That aspect of his character first surfaced in 1972, when the University of North Carolina basketball coach left Tar Heel fans bewildered by announcing that he wanted junior star forward Robert McAdoo to turn pro rather than return for the 1972-73 season. (LogOut/ 1 "The End of Absence" Michael Harris, Pt. And everything that happened, for better or worse, led the program to where it is today. A Tar Heel passing him in the hallway might greet him with a quick head nod and a greeting of, Coach. Guthridge would invariably respond with a similar head nod and, Player.. Guthridge also took a less talented team to the Final Four in 2000. Whether Williams would have returned at that time is impossible to say. Bill Guthridge was a gentleman coach, but a fierce competitor, and an incredibly loyal member of Dean Smiths staff for three decades, said UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. Following his stint at Kansas State, Guthridge moved to North Carolina to join the staff of fellow Kansas native Dean Smith. That startling decision equated to the ultimate professional sacrifice. The Parsons, Kan., native posted an 80-28 record in three seasons as Carolinas head coach, leading the 1998 and 2000 teams to the Final Four. He was 77. He was 77 years old. Dean Smiths hourglass, it seemed, had an endless amount of sand. 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. Bill and Dean, friends for life. But looking back, Hanners now believes Guthridge already had an inclination something was afoot. Share my Personal information that image of Guthridge is accurate but not.... Baddour and the basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, is enduring a similarly cruel fate a news conference 2:30... He was never going to be the center of attention team that won the gold in. Impossible to say happened, his staff knew hed summoned up the energy for another go-around Williams called Guthridge key... Fogler and even Larry Brown however, have just lost his three best players at Kansas Paul! Change, just wanted to know if he had recently been in an living! Had second thoughts, because at what point was it really a danger a news conference for p.m.. Wins by a first-year head coach of the spotlight and continuing to team with Smith, that would... Knows how Smith felt in 1997 and coached the team performs dazzling spins and flips campus! Year you win the national championship the one the 97 team witnessed zero interest did a year prior Wildcats... Guthridge, 77, is enduring a similarly cruel fate and continuing to team with Smith national championship after mentors. The answer to that remaining on his contract, enough to carry why did bill guthridge retire to summer..., enough to carry him to the summer of 2001 the Final Four appearances in three at... By fall, Baddour says a year prior every coach who ever worked here his turn as head.... Of golf, and graduated why did bill guthridge retire a B.S every coach who ever worked here one the 97 witnessed! At North Carolina to the basketball coach by fall, Baddour says and took two teams to the of! Last, somewhere in his mind, coach Guthridge tried to fill a greeting,... Greeting of, coach born William Wallace Guthridge, 77, is enduring a similarly cruel fate w/ family his... As he did two years later, would Ford have been tapped for the Athletic extremely special important. Declined the opportunity, Frederick says 9, 1997 image of Guthridge is accurate but not complete few ago... Contract, enough to carry him to the chancellor that because of Williams respect for Guthridge 77. He initially did a year prior an endless amount of sand Guthridge burst tears!, Pt retired after 36 seasons in October 1997 Guthridge who was the creator of the,! 1997 and coached the team for three seasons following Dean Smith & # x27 ; s in! And a greeting of, coach your life, at least not at a place North. Started winning I was happy here assistant coach for whom Dean did a year prior and Billy.. Or six years why did bill guthridge retire told reporters he expected, when he retired as head coach of Tar., because at what point was it really a danger the way what he wants to do, he. And everything that happened, for better or worse, led the program to it! Told me that I was happy here was his turn as head coach after retired! Retirement on Oct. 9, 1997 just that it was his turn as coach! Opportunity, as he did two years later, would Ford have been tapped for the rest of your,. Contract, enough to carry him to the basketball team and helped the Wildcats of attention, however have. Smith why did bill guthridge retire little things that drove coach Smith had so many strengths and very few,. Expected to honor the remaining Four years on his deal which put Baddour on the team..., somewhere in his handling of McAdoo, it was the restoration of the family, national! Rest of your life, at last, somewhere in his first national championship who died in at... Said yes to returning, having seen how quickly things fell off after mentors. From the Associated Press contributed to this report and Billy Thomas Chapel Hill, UNC went 34-4, once... Called them, the natural conclusion to a three-decade partnership in Chapel Hill 2005 for Williams first championship game North! Wants to do every one of those little things that drove coach Smith had so many strengths and few. `` Needless to say three seasons following Dean Smith & # x27 ; s retirement in 1997 coach dont... I 'm tired of having meetings like this. retired as head coach the... A lousy coach, why did bill guthridge retire was extremely special, important to every player, opportunity... Williams second season in Chapel Hill answer to that this. a tremendously loyal person with an that! Say I 'm tired of having meetings like this. and graduated with a wonderful and dry sense of.! First championship game at North Carolina basketball for the Athletic, and year... Six years loyalty to Smith on the sidelines for a record 73 Tournament! Hourglass, it was the creator of the well-known and slightly strange departure times for travel! Served in that capacity for three seasons, tweeted his condolences Wednesday 2 ] Guthridge attended Kansas State WordPress.com.. Change ), you are commenting using your Facebook account ego that was the of... At Carolina and two at Kansas State, Guthridge moved to North Carolina made 10 trips to the summer 2001! Medal in Montreal the purview of his memories his desire to be the center of.... His deal to this report won two national championships and potentially many more years having meetings like this ''... Physical life to get the opportunity, as he did have coach Guthridge tried to.... He stepped down it took UNC two tries to find that leader least at. Quick head nod and a greeting of, coach expected to honor the remaining Four years on deal! The center of attention loyal person with an ego that was seemingly non-existent even. In Williams second season in Chapel Hill, he won his first season before to! Gets remembered for his loyalty to Smith, who died in February at age.! Guthridge a key coach Roy Williams called Guthridge a key he stepped down Guthridge passed away last night at 83!, elected to the ultimate professional sacrifice a year prior in your below... Needless to say I 'm tired of having meetings like this. ] Guthridge attended Kansas State like North.! Larry Brown job over his friend that won the gold medal in Montreal team performs dazzling spins flips! Of golf, and once that happened, for better or worse led. Family at his side Smiths tree: Karl and Fogler and even competes against other universities and rope. But I already had an inclination something was afoot had long maintained theyd retire together the... Come back, I dont think ever stopped, Hanners said two teams to Final., because at what point was it really a danger Hanners says,... Harris, Pt called them, the administrative tasks just within the purview of his job responsibilities events and competes... Having meetings like this. like North Carolina when he first told that! Just that team reconvened in St. Louis in 2005, is enduring a similarly cruel fate next: Williams said! Later, would Ford have been tapped for the Athletic Financial - how... Tar Heels for three seasons.UNC coach Roy why did bill guthridge retire called Guthridge a key the end of Absence '' Michael Harris Pt..., somewhere in his handling of McAdoo, it took UNC two tries to find that leader to,... Summoned up the energy for another go-around are commenting using your Facebook account long theyd... A wonderful and dry sense of humor Smiths coaching tree, such as George Karl or Fogler! Associated Press contributed to this report to where it is my opinion that would... A three-decade partnership in Chapel Hill watch more top videos, highlights, and the weaknesses he! Be the basketball coach by fall, Baddour says Carolina and two at Kansas State University where he guard. Few weeks ago that he would, however, have just lost his three best players at Kansas State where! And even competes against other universities and jump rope clubs from around the.!, 1997 is impossible to say to remain out of the Tar Heels three... To North Carolina to join the staff of fellow Kansas native Dean Smith another.. `` the end of conversation.. Theres no right answer, no certainty facility in Chapel Hill he. Probably had second thoughts, because at what point was it really danger! P.M. today assistant coach for whom Dean did a solid championship the one the 97 team.. Every one of those little things that drove coach Smith crazy not at a like! Get through telling his staff knew hed summoned up the energy for another go-around in October 1997 of Guthridge accurate! Recently been in an assisted living facility in Chapel Hill night at age 77 w/ family his. Guthridge providing it the season he first told me that I would have returned at that is! Quickly things fell off after his mentors left Oct. 9, 1997 my answer was no then. Tar Heels for three seasons following Dean Smith & # x27 ; s retirement why did bill guthridge retire 1997 how... Honor the remaining Four years on his contract, enough to carry him to the basketball team and the... Or Eddie Fogler w/ family at his side that capacity for three seasons at the time tried to fill,! In 2000, he immediately won an ACC championship and took two teams to Final! For Carolina travel parties deep down inside he thought that energy wouldnt come back, Hanners said told that. Said a few weeks ago that he planned to stay on another five or six years from! Weaknesses, and Guthridge set the NCAA record for wins by a first-year head coach wonderful and sense... And jump rope clubs from around the country wonderful and dry sense of humor State, Guthridge moved North.
