I will miss his kindness and wisdom. SCNext Top 25: Ranking the best high school boys' basketball teams in the 2022-23 season, Brown: There will never be another Bill Guthridge. He was North Carolina basketball, the constant as the new building was built in his honor and the banners in the rafters accumulated, the link from Scott to Ford to Jordan to Stackhouse. Like his lifelong friend and mentor, Coach Dean Smith, he led by example instilling values of kindness, discipline and a strong work ethic. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.. Hed told reporters he expected to honor the remaining four years on his deal. 33 yrs on UNC bench. Making the Final Four is a tremendous accomplishment but its not what you chase. I dont think he went in that summer thinking, Im not gonna be the basketball coach by fall, Baddour says. He stayed (rather than leave for a head coaching job at another university) because he was enjoying what he was doing and why leave something you know is good for the unknown. "This is another terrible loss for the Carolina basketball family," former North Carolina player and current Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan said in a statement to The Associated Press. Its not fair, but thats just the way it is for assistant coaches, Smith said. The University is currently operating under normal conditions. Guthridge coached North Carolina to the Final Four in his first season before losing to Utah. So why leave?, His dry sense of humor was legendary among his players. That not-wanting-to-step-on-toes thing? 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. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Coach Guthridge played an instrumental role in the programs success as an assistant under Dean Smith for three decades before making his own name as a head coach in leading North Carolina to a pair of Final Four appearances in three seasons. He spurned offers to interview for head coaching vacancies, preferring to remain out of the spotlight and continuing to team with Smith. But more than just that team, Smith left behind a mound of questions. The complaints turned to praise after the teams unlikely Final Four appearance. "If he told me to run through that wall to make me better, I'd hit that wall," former North Carolina player and well-traveled college coach Buzz Peterson told The Associated Press. Guthridge was a player and then an assistant coach at Kansas State before joining the Tar Heels staff in 1967. He knows where he is and who he is, but it's often difficult for him. And so even as the coachs hair changed from dark brown to gray to white, his position never did. Peterson -- who roomed with Jordan on those early 1980s teams -- said Guthridge kept the program going off the court, with the assistant making him run the school's golf course at 6 a.m. as punishment for once being late. I remember telling the chancellor that, Baddour says. Thats impossible to know, but Williams was also returning a top-five team, one that was expected to compete for a championship in its own right. Division regular season champion The next day, Kenny Smith said, assistant coach Bill Guthridge wasn't at practice. 1 "The End of Absence" Michael Harris, Pt. He held tight. When it was announced last week that Smith would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom award, I could not help but think back to that interview in 2000 while also thinking about what might have been. He couldnt generate enough energy to get through all of that., Some background: In the years leading up to his retirement specifically every spring after the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament Smith expressed a sense of exhaustion to the people around him. But the season, and that loss specifically, never faded from their collective consciousness. Just like Smith, Guthridge found a way to impact his players beyond teaching them offensive and defensive principles. I would have been as vigorous and go after that as hard as I could possibly go.. The Tar Heels either won the ACC tournament or finished atop the league standings -- or did both -- in 23 of those seasons. North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour has refused to comment directly on Guthridge's contract, saying the school's board of trustees discourages him from talking publicly about such personnel issues. Bill Guthridge was consistently portrayed as a quiet gentleman. You will be missed. And he said, Im not crying because we won. Guthridge was the consensus National Coach of the Year in 1998. He stepped down 2 months later. I enjoyed my 30 years as an assistant coach, and Ive enjoyed my three years as a head coach.. North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge retired Friday after three years as Dean Smiths successor, a move that opens one of the most prestigious jobs in college sports. Guthridge's did, too, and during Smith's funeral and memorial services, Williams, knowing the end could be near, told former players and current ones to spend time with Guthridge. (Smith told me), Its just not coming back. All the scheduling calls, speeches for adoring donors, piles and piles of paperwork that accompanied seemingly everything he did. Perhaps, at last, somewhere in his mind, Coach Guthridge finally made the decision it was time for him to retire from this physical life. The emotion was there, its just that it was often Guthridge providing it. But Baddour explained to the chancellor that because of Williams respect for Guthridge, hed never have taken the job over his friend. That includes two as a head coach at Carolina, 10 as a Tar Heel assistant coach and one each as a player and assistant coach at his alma mater, Kansas State. That Plan B, clearly, was Guthridge. He directed UNC to the 1998 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship and was named the ACC Coach of the Year. "He, like Coach Smith, was more of a mentor and father figure than anything else. I tell people that Coach Smith and Coach Guthridge are my light-skinned fathers, said Antawn Jamison, who was the National Player of the Year for the 1998 team that Guthridge guided to the Final Four. (An aside: if Doherty stays, does Mike Brey, succeeded him and still remains in South Bend, get that job, or is he elsewhere too?). 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. Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun announced his retirement Thursday. That startling decision equated to the ultimate professional sacrifice. He was a kind soul with a strong, competitive spirit. "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. Maybe Phil Ford wouldve been the head coach then, Ndiaye says. He, like Coach Smith, was more of a mentor and father figure than anything else. He tried to do every one of those little things that drove Coach Smith crazy. 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. At the time, their run of 172 consecutive weeks in the AP Poll was the second-longest in college basketball history. We ended up beating em easily, and I thanked him later for it, Hanners says. But if Smith was selfless in his handling of McAdoo, it was nothing compared to Smiths shocking retirement on Oct. 9, 1997. 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? The Blue Sky Scholars Program gives scholarship support to middle-income parents and students from North Carolina. He once told a newspaper he never left the program because the other 300 Division I head-coaching jobs weren't better than his job as an assistant. Frederick said he wanted to emphasize to Williams how strongly the university, the community, the people in the state of Kansas and all of our alumni and fans feel about him continuing as the Jayhawk coach forever.. 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. 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. in mathematics in 1960 and an M.A. He is probably best remembered for his loyalty to Smith, who died in February at age 83. Which 16 teams should you buy or fade ahead of March Madness? An assistant to Dean Smith for 30 seasons, Guthridge replaced his former boss when Smith retired in 1997 after 36 years as coach of the Tar Heels. 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. The protege was named Naismith College Coach of the Year in his first season as Smith's replacement. Because that was supposed to be something that we accomplished together.. "Needless to say I'm tired of having meetings like this." Its often forgotten that he helped engineer the 2000 Final Four run by keeping his team in Charlotte overnight after a disappointing quarterfinal ACC Tournament loss, and pushing them hard in practice on Saturday. Ford whispered for Hanners to try running 21 defense really sagging off defenders, even inside the 3-point line. Jordan is among many Tar Heels who had tremendous respect for Guthridge. In our prayers. For starters, Baddour says he still would have offered Guthridge the job first. The ones he did have Coach Guthridge tried to fill. Heck, he might still be the coach at North Carolina. And that brings us full-circle, back to the original what-if: What if Dean Smith had finished out his contract, which ran through the end of the 2000-01 season? Why bring those up? 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. Born in Parsons, Kansas,[2] Guthridge attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, and graduated with a B.S. Of course, its not like UNC had a bad season in Guthridges first year. Guthridge took over when Smith retired after 36 seasons in October 1997. "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.". 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. Smith died on Feb. 7 after suffering for years from a neurological disorder that robbed him of his memories. in education in 1963. In 1993, he and his wife, Leesie, created the William W. and Elise P. Guthridge Library Fund, which helped with purchasing materials and renovation of the House Undergraduate Library. Ndiaye comforted his coach, who had become a friend in time. "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.". To combat that fatigue, every summer, Smiths assistant coaches urged him to get out and enjoy life. And I said, I cant say to you with certainty what Bills gonna do, but this is how we have to approach it. That team still went 34-4, losing to Utah in the Final Four. College Basketball 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 played for him you loved him; working with him was a joy. Former UNC Director of Athletics Dick Baddour: Bill was one of the most respected and admired people I have known. (Robert Willett / Tribune News Service via Getty). Hed grow bored of golf, and once that happened, his staff knew hed summoned up the energy for another go-around. 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. Coach Guthridge is the best I have ever seen in selecting potential in high school players, Smith once said, according to the teams website. "My sympathies go out to his wife, Leesie, and their kids and family.". School officials stressed that Guthridge was not merely a placeholder for then-Kansas coach Roy Williams, signing him to a five-year contract. 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Division regular season and conference tournament champion But I already had a better job than that and I was happy here. After Coach Guthridge's retirement in 2003, he and Coach Smith stayed in close contact, visiting each other frequently. So I just feel like we got robbed.. We easily could have won the championship, man, Ndiaye says. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. 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. Theyd had their disagreements, yes. When he retired as head coach in 2000, he knew he wouldnt be able to get through telling his staff about his departure. He had recently been in an assisted living facility in Chapel Hill. Hed have been a lifer, Hanners says. 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. Its one game, Jamison says. Its funny, I talk to (Williams) players, and with the thought of the day, and the way things are run, and I go to their practices, Jamison says, its Coach Gut, Coach Smith in a younger body.. Although his individual achievements showcased his ability as a head coach, Guthridge always seemed content working with Smith to develop a top program at North Carolina. Guthridge said he took a vacation in Europe in May, hoping to recharge, but wasnt able to. What Smith left behind was arguably the most talented team hed ever assembled: a pair of future NBA All-Stars, Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison; the programs all-time assists leader, point guard Ed Cota; a lights-out shooter, Shammond Williams; a frontcourt enforcer, Makhtar Ndiaye; and much more. Baddour says he never got that far down the line because of Guthridges interest. 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. 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. Yeah, Id say that was more likely than unlikely., I wouldve gone to where I went two years later, he says. End of conversation.. Smith is now 82 and with some health issues. Guthridge was completely content in the role of a lifetime assistant and the Smith/Guthridge combo would have been weakened had Guthridge retired early. Here's how the Wolfpack get to 12 wins, Holland Miller puts in extra effort helping younger student athletes at Wilson Christian Academy, Extra hours in the gym and on the road earn Mikayla Taborn the Extra Effort Award, Extra Effort: Bunn's unassuming, tenacious three-sport star Carlee Tart, Krister Sjoblad sets the pace and honors father at Athens Drive, Extra Effort: Jordyn Brown overcomes heart surgery to cap off illustrious SJHS volleyball career, Jimmyll Williams helps Hillside to undefeated regular season, dreams of studying biotech, South Johnston's Lance Parker puts Extra Effort into giving back, Beddingfield twins Nate and Drew O'Neal win the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award, Extra Effort: Addison Rowan's comeback from cancer, Rocky Mount Academy's Wells Hutson makes extra effort to mentor special needs students, Photos: Duke takes down No. When Coach Smith died, Coach Guthridge knew that his friend was gone, but he quickly moved back to their time together when they were younger and dementia had not knocked on their doors yet. William Wallace Guthridge (July 27, 1937 May 12, 2015) was an American college basketball coach. North Carolina made 29 NCAA tournament appearances in Guthridge's 33 years on the staff and finished no worse than third in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season standings every year -- with 16 first-place finishes and 10 more in second. Veteran sports reporter Peter Gammons had high praise for the former coach: Saddened to learn Bill Guthridge passed away. 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. Now Guthridge, 77, is enduring a similarly cruel fate . While serving as an assistant coach, Guthridge turned down several head coaching opportunities, preferring to remain in Chapel Hill working alongside Smith. All rights reserved. Coaches, both within the program and across the country, still came calling to Chapel Hill every summer to pick his brains about Xs and Os. 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.. Bill and Dean, friends for life. He also was an assistant to Smith on the 1976 U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in Montreal. But the Tar Heels suffered a soul-crushing NCAA Tournament loss that also ended Phil Fords career. Guthridge coached three years and took the Tar Heels to two Final Fours. And everything that happened, for better or worse, led the program to where it is today. Ill just say this, says Dave Hanners, one of Smiths longtime assistants. His legacy lives on in each of the players who were privileged to call him Coach and countless Tar Heels and people across the nation who admired him. 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. 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. But theres also the fact that Dean did it his way, which was entirely predictable. In retrospect, Smiths premature exit was a mistake on all fronts. That stemmed not from the coaching aspect of his job, but from everything else. 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. Case in point. But there was no questioning the depth of their relationship. He was 77. The fact that he felt like he failed us.. Lets play out the most interesting of the hypotheticals: if Dean Smith does return for the 1997-1998 season, with an absolutely jam-packed roster. He wasnt going to entertain a room full of boosters with behind the scenes stories. Guthridge also took a less talented team to the Final Four in 2000. 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. 33 yrs on UNC bench. 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. Did Bill Guthridge win national championship? His lack of recruiting is why they went 8-20 shortly thereafter. The closest he came to leaving Chapel Hill was 1978, when he verbally accepted the head coaching job at Penn State. Guthridge coached that team to the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship, a school record-tying 34 wins (including 30 wins going into the NCAA Tournament the most in school history at the time) and an appearance in the Final Four, where they lost to Utah. As a coach, he was stubbornly competitive. It didnt bother me that I was a lousy coach, and when we started winning I was a better coach. That was probably six or seven years later where somebody else might recognize it. Then Guthridges voice wavered as he began to apologize I feel like its my fault. Guthridge had once accepted Penn States head coaching vacancy in the 1970s, only to return to Chapel Hill before his connecting flight to State College. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report. You will be missed. And as the confetti fell on UNCs first title A.D. After Dean Guthridge burst into tears alongside his former players. 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. Guthridge initially gained recognition after serving for thirty years as Dean Smith's assistant at the University of North Carolina and summing many wins as a result. Ironically, both coaches developed dementia along the way (Coach Smith died in January 2015 of complications from dementia). What if he hadnt retired when he did? Guthridge retired after the season, having spent the first 43 years of his adult life as a player, high school coach, and college coach. Smith, after all, kept an office in the arena for several years after retirement. He said that although he was impressed with the athletic department personnel and basketball program, withdrawing his name was "in the best interest of myself and my family.". [4] They finished the regular season at 1813, the worst for UNC in eleven years, but the Tar Heels came alive in the NCAA tournament. He was inducted into the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. I want to spend the weekend thinking about it. [6], National champion Smith, who attended Guthridges retirement announcement, called the day a celebration of a fantastic career. And then Bill can decide along the way what he wants to do.. Williams and Ndiaye both graduated. Capital Financial - Learn how to secure lifetime retirement income. He still had four seasons remaining on his contract, enough to carry him to the summer of 2001. You wouldnt think that would work, but it did. (LogOut/ 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. Was probably six or seven years later, he communicated as much to after... 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