Retired UNC Tar Heels basketball Coach Dean Smith was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, along with 16 other recipients this week by the President. Smith was unable to make the trip to Washington, DC due to poor health so his wife Dr. Linnea Smith accepted the award for him. Dean Smith coached the Tar Heels for 36 seasons and had 879 wins, 2 national championships, was in 11 Final Fours, and won the ACC tournament title 13 times during his UNC coaching career.  Roy Williams the current UNC basketball coach and Bill Guthridge, a longtime assistant coach were there to see the award presented to Smith. 

Dean Smith
Dean Smith
Dean Smith Honored With Presidential Medal of Freedom