Many people have very vivid memories of Jordan, Stackhouse, and Worthy. But, how about names like Rusty Clark and Danny Lotz. Some of the highestpraise for Dean Smith comes from nearly 40 years ago.
A relatively unknown assistant coach from the Airforce Academy arrivedat UNC in 1958. Right away Dean Smith made an impression. Dr. DannyLotz, who is now a Raleigh dentist, was on that 1958 team.
"Dean Smith came in, and all of a sudden he says now we can set up someplays," Lotz recalls. "You do this. You do that. Everybody on the teamknew that Dean Smith knew basketball."
Most of Dean Smith's players, even those who go back 36 years saythey can't believe it's over.
"For that to end, it's a shock. It really is," Lotz admits. "Life goes on. There's always someone else, but you just don't replace a guy likethat."
Many say the best measure of a man comes from his peers. Duke coach MikeKrzyzewski has faced off against Dean Smith for many years. Coach "K"says Smith has benefitted UNC, the ACC, and college basketball.
Despite all the tough games, Krzyzewski says it won't be the same withoutthe Dean.
"I'm gonna miss him because I think he brought out the best in me and hebrought out the best in our whole conference," says Krzyzewski. "Soif this is what he's going to do, the best of luck to him."
Dr. Danny Lotz has a brother John who coached with Dean Smith. Theconversation they had when they heard the news was probably mirrored manytimes over.
They told each other they couldn't believe the Dean was leaving, and they both swapped old Dean Smith stories.
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