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53 Insightful Quotes By Dean Smith That Will Keep You Focused

Famous As: Basketball Coach
Born On: February 28, 1931
Died On: February 7, 2015
Born In: Emporia, Kansas, United States
Died At Age: 83
Dean Smith was a renowned American men’s college basketball head coach. He is considered as a ‘coaching legend’ and has been inducted in the Basketball Hall Of Fame. He served as a coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for more than three decades. One of the most successful coaches, Smith retired with 879 victories. North Carolina bagged in two national championships and also emerged in 11 Final Fours during Smith’s tenure as head coach. Smith worked rigorously towards promoting de-segregation while he was at the North Carolina. To execute his plans, he recruited Charlie Scott, the university’s first African-American scholarship basketball player. We bring to you some thought-provoking quotable quotes and sayings by the legendary quotes shared both within and outside the court. Read through the quotes and thoughts by Dean Smith and get inspired.
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Good people are happy when something good happens to someone else.

Good people are happy when something good happens to someone else.

Dean Smith
If you treat every situation as a life and death matter, you'll die a lot of times.

If you treat every situation as a life and death matter, you'll die a lot of times.

Dean Smith
Basketball is a team game. But that doesn't mean all five players should have the same amount of shots.

Basketball is a team game. But that doesn't mean all five players should have the same amount of shots.

Dean Smith
I'd never get elected if people in North Carolina realized how liberal I am.

I'd never get elected if people in North Carolina realized how liberal I am.

Dean Smith
There is a point in every contest when sitting on the sidelines is not an option.

There is a point in every contest when sitting on the sidelines is not an option.

Dean Smith
I always mean what I say, but I don't always say what I'm thinking.

I always mean what I say, but I don't always say what I'm thinking.

Dean Smith
I think the real free person in society is one that's disciplined. It's the one that can choose; that is the free one.

I think the real free person in society is one that's disciplined. It's the one that can choose; that is the free one.

Dean Smith

Given the fact that we are in a capitalist society, we still do not want to overlook not only what a corporation produces and its profitability but also how it impacts the environment, touches human life and whether it protects or undermines the dignity of the human person.

Dean Smith
I do believe in praising that which deserves to be praised.

I do believe in praising that which deserves to be praised.

Dean Smith
You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do it.

You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do it.

Dean Smith
The presidents of colleges have to have some courage to step forward. You can't limit alcohol in college sports, you have to get rid of it.

The presidents of colleges have to have some courage to step forward. You can't limit alcohol in college sports, you have to get rid of it.

Dean Smith
I know a lawyer who'd love to retire and be an assistant coach. I mean, it's fun.

I know a lawyer who'd love to retire and be an assistant coach. I mean, it's fun.

Dean Smith
The best way to stop the problem of agents would be for the NCAA to come down hard and suspend a school for two years if it finds players with agents on campus.

The best way to stop the problem of agents would be for the NCAA to come down hard and suspend a school for two years if it finds players with agents on campus.

Dean Smith
I'd like to see the high schools put in a rule that limits recruitable athletes from playing on teams outside a 100-mile radius from their home or school.

I'd like to see the high schools put in a rule that limits recruitable athletes from playing on teams outside a 100-mile radius from their home or school.

Dean Smith
I just think we shouldn't get into counting coaches' records. I've never been for that... but I know that's just American society.

I just think we shouldn't get into counting coaches' records. I've never been for that... but I know that's just American society.

Dean Smith
Our teachers at the public school level are the most underpaid for the importance of their job in America.

Our teachers at the public school level are the most underpaid for the importance of their job in America.

Dean Smith
I enjoy basketball. I enjoy coaching basketball. It's the out-of-season stuff I didn't handle well.

I enjoy basketball. I enjoy coaching basketball. It's the out-of-season stuff I didn't handle well.

Dean Smith
Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat.

Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat.

Dean Smith
As soon as you try to describe a close friendship, it loses something.

As soon as you try to describe a close friendship, it loses something.

Dean Smith
What do do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.

What do do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.

Dean Smith
A leader's job is to develop committed followers. Bad leaders destroy their followers' sense of commitment.

A leader's job is to develop committed followers. Bad leaders destroy their followers' sense of commitment.

Dean Smith
The best way to build team chemistry is the way Rupp used to substitute, when they fouled out.

The best way to build team chemistry is the way Rupp used to substitute, when they fouled out.

Dean Smith
I only use statistics to reinforce what I already think, or if it's something unusual.

I only use statistics to reinforce what I already think, or if it's something unusual.

Dean Smith
The truly free person in society is a disciplined person.

The truly free person in society is a disciplined person.

Dean Smith
Play hard. Play smart. Play together.

Play hard. Play smart. Play together.

Dean Smith
The coach's job is to be part servant in helping each player reach his goals within the team concept.

The coach's job is to be part servant in helping each player reach his goals within the team concept.

Dean Smith
If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you’re going to have problems. You’ll be dead a lot.

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you’re going to have problems. You’ll be dead a lot.

Dean Smith
If you do what we ask you to do, the victories will belong to you, and the losses to me.

If you do what we ask you to do, the victories will belong to you, and the losses to me.

Dean Smith
Michael, if you can't pass, you can't play.

Michael, if you can't pass, you can't play.

Dean Smith
I wasn't as critical during games as I was at practice. Players needed confidence during games more than criticism.

I wasn't as critical during games as I was at practice. Players needed confidence during games more than criticism.

Dean Smith