1999 Legends of Coaching Award Recipient
Dean Smith
University of North Carolina
Dean Smith received the John R. Wooden Award “Legends of Coaching” honor in 1999. Smith finished his career as the alltime winningest coach in basketball history with 879 victories. In 36 years, Smith coached Carolina to 11 Final Fours, two national titles and 13 ACC Tournament Championships. Over 96 percent of Smith’s lettermen graduated since his first year in 1961. From 1981 to 1989, Carolina was ranked in the final Top 10 of both the Associated Press and coaches’ poll each year.