Many gather for private service for Dean Smith

Michael Jordan shares a moment with Dean Smith, his former coach at North Carolina. (AP Photo)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Family, friends, former players and coaches have gathered to honour the life of retired North Carolina coach Dean Smith.

Smith’s family had a private church service Thursday for the Hall of Famer, who died Saturday at age 83. The service was held at Chapel Hill’s Binkley Baptist Church.

Among the coaches who attended: current UNC coach Roy Williams, who also worked as an assistant to Smith; former UNC assistant and head coach Bill Guthridge; Duke Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski; and former Georgetown coach John Thompson — whose Hoyas faced Smith’s Tar Heels in the 1982 NCAA final.

Former players who attended included Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Eric Montross and Brad Daugherty.

A public memorial service is scheduled for Feb. 22 in the campus arena bearing the coach’s name.

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