The inconsistent season came on the heels of a first-round NCAA Tournament loss in 1999. He is probably best remembered for his loyalty to Smith, who died in February at age 83. He will certainly be remembered for what he did as opposed to what else he might have done. Just like Smith, Guthridge found a way to impact his players beyond teaching them offensive and defensive principles. And for as much as he did enjoy those three seasons, the same obligations that wore Smith down got to Guthridge as well. After waiting an uncharacteristically long time to respond, he smiled and thanked me. They shot just 39.1 percent from the floor and made only 3-of-23 attempts from 3. 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. Theres no way you could dream, Hanners says, anyone would necessarily do better.. To combat that fatigue, every summer, Smiths assistant coaches urged him to get out and enjoy life. Baddour was scheduled to travel with the football program that day for a game at TCU, but before leaving he spoke to Smith on the phone. Case in point. He was and has been overshadowed and a bit lost in the shuffle of UNC basketball coaches by his lifelong friend, former UNC head coach Dean Smith (1961 to 1997), and current UNC head coach Roy Williams, who was an assistant coach along with Guthridge at UNC from 1978 to 1988. "He was my coach, he was another mentor. He coached 1997-98 National Player of the Year Antawn Jamison 99 and 1998-99 NBA Rookie of the Year Vince Carter 99, both of whom entered the NBA draft after their junior seasons. Ndiaye comforted his coach, who had become a friend in time. Longtime North Carolina basketball coach Bill Guthridge died Tuesday night. Graduate of the University of North Carolina. The guys worked hard and didnt lose confidence, Guthridge said after the season. He joined the UNC staff in 1967 after five years as assistant to Tex Winter at Kansas State. The people who knew him best werent surprised he went to two Final Fours in three seasons.. Its not fair, but thats just the way it is for assistant coaches, Smith said. He competed in one as a player at Kansas State in 1958, was an assistant coach at 11 before directing the Tar Heels at two as head coach. I didnt really have to focus too much on a Plan B, Baddour says. He still had four seasons remaining on his contract, enough to carry him to the summer of 2001. And so those players, all of them, kick around the questions to this day. Maybe Phil Ford wouldve been the head coach then, Ndiaye says. So why leave?, His dry sense of humor was legendary among his players. He never called me at home, unless it was something dire, Hanners says, but he said, How would you feel about meeting me in the office early on Monday at 7 to go over some things before everyone gets there? Hanners obliged, trying to ease Guthridges feeling that he was somewhat out of touch. The Tar Heels finished first or tied for first in the ACC regular season 16 times, finished second or tied for second in the ACC regular season 11 times and finished third or tied for third in the ACC regular season six times. It was an admirable, honorable action for Smith to take and Guthridge went on to win 80 games in three seasons. Former UNC coach, assistant Guthridge dies, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences, Tide's Oats takes blame for Miller's 'TSA' intro, Davis within 25 points of tying Maravich's mark, New NCAA president readies for NIL, legal issues, Scheyer makes history as Duke sweeps at home, Tennessee win soured by knee injury to Zeigler, USC, OU, Seton Hall, Iowa in new hoops tourney, Houston, Alabama remain atop AP Top 25 poll. Bill Guthridge, who made his college basketball reputation as Dean Smith's trusted right-hand man then took Carolina to two Final Fours in three years as head coach after his mentor retired has died after a long illness. 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. I really believe thats exactly what happened.. Guthridge also handled many day-to-day responsibilities in the program and oversaw UNC's summer basketball camps. He knows where he is and who he is, but it's often difficult for him. I dont think he went in that summer thinking, Im not gonna be the basketball coach by fall, Baddour says. What if he hadnt retired when he did? Capital Financial - Learn how to secure lifetime retirement income. Guthridge said he took a vacation in Europe in May, hoping to recharge, but wasnt able to. In our prayers. Guthridge was completely committed to Carolina basketball, and he wanted to make sure everyone else in the program felt the same way. He tried to do every one of those little things that drove Coach Smith crazy. Bill Guthridge, who led North Carolina to two Final Four appearances in his three seasons as basketball coach of the Tar Heels, will announce his retirement today, the Associated Press reported. Hed have been a lifer, Hanners says. 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. He set NCAA records for most wins by a first-year head coach with 34, and for wins in his first two years with 58. 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. 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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. Following the 199798 season, several organizations named him National Coach of the Year and he received the Naismith College Coach of the Year award. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He led the program to a pair of Final Four appearances in three seasons at the helm before retiring following the 1999-2000 campaign. I was just happy that the team had success. Coach Smith had so many strengths and very few weaknesses, and the weaknesses that he did have Coach Guthridge tried to fill. Smith, who attended Guthridges retirement announcement, called the day a celebration of a fantastic career. 33 yrs on UNC bench. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. But in hindsight, Hanners says there were clues that everything might not have been like normal. Hed have been two years into a rebuild at Notre Dame, and perhaps less reluctant to leave. Dean Smith unexpectedly retired as head basketball coach at North Carolina just two months before the start of the 199798 season, and Guthridge was immediately named his successor. 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. Following his stint at Kansas State, Guthridge moved to North Carolina to join the staff of fellow Kansas native Dean Smith. [5], He died at his home on May 12, 2015, after an extended illness, alongside his family. The flip side of reality offers another interesting scenario: What if Guthridge had led that group to a win over Utah, and then over Kentucky in the championship game. He got his taste. In his three seasons as head coach Guthridge led the Tar Heels to the NCAA final Four twice, in 1998 and again in 2000. Well if hes got a five-year contract, you know hes gonna coach five years. And I think he probably had second thoughts, because at what point was it really a danger? Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 33 yrs on UNC bench. Guthridge was the consensus National Coach of the Year in 1998. That startling decision equated to the ultimate professional sacrifice. Or does Doherty get his chance regardless? Dick, lets talk on Monday, but Im pretty sure Im gonna tell you Monday its time to transition, Baddour remembers. He was an unbelievable assistant to Coach Smith. Its very much a possibility, everyone admits. 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. That's exactly what they did. "I'm not up with it," Guthridge said at one point, when he tried to remember taking over as UNC's head coach in 1997 after Smith retired. But looking back, Hanners now believes Guthridge already had an inclination something was afoot. Guthridge was the head coach of the Tar Heels for three seasons following Dean Smith's retirement in 1997. Former University of North Carolina basketball coach Bill Guthridge, 77, died Tuesday from a heart condition. Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 77 w/ family at his side. The possibilities were endless, but Baddour is certain of one thing: keeping things in the family was a must. 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. Born in Parsons, Kansas,[2] Guthridge attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, and graduated with a B.S. Guthridge was a player and then an assistant coach at Kansas State . My time is in the past now and we have to move forward.. Panthers add Parks Frazier as passing game coordinator, Duke finishes 16-0 at home after 71-67 win over N.C. 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The first is, if Guthridge hadnt wanted the job, would Williams have taken it? . 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As they were chatting, Guthridge, who died in 2015, grabbed Ndiayes arm. It wasnt until Oct. 3, 1997 a Friday about a week before the first practice of the season that Baddour got an indication that Smith wouldnt return. As he would prepare for a basketball practice or game, he was equally intense about attention to detail in scheduling or whatever.. 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? "Needless to say I'm tired of having meetings like this." Smith is now 82 and with some health issues. You come up one year, and that year you win the national championship. 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. He, like Coach Smith, was more of a mentor and father figure than anything else. His lack of recruiting is why they went 8-20 shortly thereafter. He always knew what he was doing.. Note: Former University of North Carolina mens basketball coach Bill Guthridge passed away May 12. You wouldnt think that would work, but it did. "I'm extremely saddened by the passing of Coach Guthridge, aka 'Coach Gut,' especially coming so close to the loss of Coach Smith," Jamison, who was national player of the year during Guthridge's first season as coach, said in a statement. He was a lifetime assistant coach for whom Dean did a solid. Guthridge took over when Smith retired after 36 seasons in October 1997. It was the 14th time Guthridge participated in the Final Four. The little doo-doos, Smith called them, the administrative tasks just within the purview of his job responsibilities. Hed told reporters he expected to honor the remaining four years on his deal. Conference regular season champion Williams famously turned him down, opting to remain at Kansas, where hed built a Carolina-esque family dynamic (at Smiths alma mater, to boot). Bill Guthridge, who led North Carolina to two Final Four appearances in his three seasons as coach of the Tar Heels, will announce his retirement at a news conference Friday, The Associated Press has learned. All the things he couldnt do during the daunting in-season months. After Dean Smith retired, Bill Guthridge took over for three years and at some point, we can't remember exactly which year, Boswell struck. In five years on Winter's staff, Guthridge helped lead the Wildcats to a 9343 (.684) record, a pair of Big Eight Conference crowns, and the NCAA Final Four in 1964. At the time, their run of 172 consecutive weeks in the AP Poll was the second-longest in college basketball history. [6], National champion As he famously said at Smiths retirement news conference, I always thought we would ride off into the sun together.. School officials stressed that Guthridge was not merely a placeholder for then-Kansas coach Roy Williams, signing him to a five-year contract. 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. The Blue Sky Scholars Program gives scholarship support to middle-income parents and students from North Carolina. We offer our deepest sympathies to Bills family, friends and the entire North Carolina basketball community.. In that July or August period, when Coach Smith basically told Coach Guthridge for the very last time in his life, Im not ready, Im not gonna do it again, then I think Coach Guthridge told him at that point that hed really like to try, Hanners says. In Guthridge's final season, he went 18-13 -- at the time, the program's worst finish in decades -- but bounced back in the postseason to reach North Carolina's 15th Final Four before losing in the national semifinals to Florida. It was more a series of passing conversations, regular updates about the coachs state of mind. On June 30th in 1969, Bill Russell announced his retirement from professional basketball after a 13-year NBA career. A relatively quiet man with a wonderful and dry sense of humor. Its another tremendous loss for our University, our basketball program and our entire community. Theyd had their disagreements, yes. Smith, after all, kept an office in the arena for several years after retirement. We offer our deepest condolences to the Guthridge family as they grieve the loss of a wonderful husband and father.. 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. Coach Smith would be more likely to draw up something in a timeout, or draw up a play maybe we hadnt worked on, where as Coach Guthridge was going to rely on what wed done in the past, says Brad Frederick, a forward on that team and now a UNC assistant coach. Penn State was a good situation, he said in an interview in 2010. And with Guthridge having gotten his shot, there would have been no issues of whose turn it was. Its one game, Jamison says. Guthridge was involved in a total of fourteen Final Fours as either a player or coach, more than any other person in historyone each as a player and assistant at Kansas State, ten as a North Carolina assistant, and two as North Carolina head coach. In fact, he communicated as much to Baddour after Baddour was tapped in late June to replace John Swofford as athletic director. If you previously used a social network to login to WRALSportsFan.com, click the Forgot your password link to reset your password. So I just feel like we got robbed.. His legacy and contributions to my life and to our University will live on and hell be much more remembered for his sense of humor and class just as much as his coaching., It has been a trying time for the University of North Carolina basketball program over the past four months and our thoughts and prayers are with them again today after the passing of Bill Guthridge. Bill was a great coach, but he never got enough credit during most of those years. If you played for him you loved him; working with him was a joy. Current coach Roy Williams referenced Smith's death, which occurred on Feb. 7 of this year, when commenting onGuthridge, via Andrew Carter of theCharlotte Observer: Here's Roy. He needed to hear that from Guthridge. My guess is that Coach Guthridge probably never came back from that place after Coach Smiths death and I would speculate that Coach Smiths death may have been the final straw of an increasingly-unfamiliar and disconnected life for Coach Guthridge. In retrospect, Smiths premature exit was a mistake on all fronts. Guthridge didn't bother to recruit Jason Williams,. We didnt play well for just five minutes, and that decided the game.. #RIP. Showdown in Durham: NC State and Duke battle for ACC, NCAA seeding, Brownlow: NC State, Duke and Carolina all look to avenge ACC losses on busy basketball Saturday, Welter: I'm not mad, Carolina, just disappointed, AP source: Panthers to meet with QB Derek Carr at combine. Guthridge did it all with a dry wit and style. Ndiaye even tried cracking the ice by joking that Guthridges years as head coach probably hadnt hurt his wallet. He was instrumental in helping lure Williams back to North Carolina. (LogOut/ Guthridge had ample opportunities to leave Chapel Hill and become the head coach of his own program. The Tar Heels either won the ACC tournament or finished atop the league standings -- or did both -- in 23 of those seasons. Had it worked out where there wasnt a down year or whatever, maybe things end up differently, Frederick says. ", Roy: "I think that not only did he coach me on the freshman team he was another mentor. The ones he did have Coach Guthridge tried to fill. (An aside: if Doherty stays, does Mike Brey, succeeded him and still remains in South Bend, get that job, or is he elsewhere too?). Or perhaps someone else from Smiths coaching tree, such as George Karl or Eddie Fogler? Then he retired, too. Guthridge said a few weeks ago he planned to stay another five or six years despite intense criticism from fans and alumni after the teams worst regular-season record in decades. Postseason invitational champion Only, given Guthridges age at the time (60) and the fact that hed always said hed retire when Smith did, Baddour wasnt totally sure Guthridge was interested. And as the confetti fell on UNCs first title A.D. After Dean Guthridge burst into tears alongside his former players. He joined Ohio States Fred Taylor as just the second man in history to lead teams to two Final Fours in his first three seasons as a head coach. 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. The Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program is one of the first research programs focused exclusively on addressing the gap in child and adolescent mental health services. But if Williams had said no, as he did two years later, would Ford have been tapped for the job then? But when Guthridge retired, Williamsthen playing with the Seattle Sonicsmade the effort to find a commercial flight to Chapel . What burned just below that was a fierce competitor who might sometimes react more like a fan than you would expect. I mean, the Plan B was there.. He would sneak into practices, hide way up in the rafters so as not to be seen. Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 77 w/ family at his side. He led his first team to the 1998 Final Four and had two players, Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison, selected in the top five . Think about it: Youve been an assistant coach for 30-plus years. (Smith told me), Its just not coming back. Because I know Coach Smiths plan long-term, at least at that time, was to prepare the team for Phil to take over.. However, it was Coach Guthridges incurable heart condition that led to his development of vascular dementia, and with its progression, his placement for the last several years in a Chapel Hill assisted living facility. The next day, Kenny Smith said, assistant coach Bill Guthridge wasn't at practice. Were the best North Carolina team that never won a championship. 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. "We'd always say there were so many time zones -- Eastern Standard Time, Central Standard Time -- but the most important was GST: Guthridge Standard Time," Peterson said. 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. Happy that the team for Phil to take over a social network login. That he was another mentor retirement from professional basketball after a 13-year NBA.! 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