News

WTZQ to air Dean Smith tribute today

By Bill Moss, Published: February 12, 2015

WTZQ-1600 AM will air an hour-long special on the life of legendary UNC Coach Dean Smith at 2 p.m. Thursday from the North Carolina News Network.

Smith died Saturday after many years of declining health. Head basketball coach of the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997, he retired as the winningest coach in college basketball. He led the Tar Heels to national championships in 1982 and 1993, to 13 ACC Tournament titles, 11 Final Fours, and an NIT championship, and coached the United States Olympic Team to a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Games. Under Smith, the Tar Heels won at least 20 games for 27 straight years and 30 of his final 31. No coach in history has ever produced that many consecutive 20-win seasons.

Listeners can hear the program on the air at AM-1600 or on a computer or smart device by going to www.wtzq.com and clicking on listen live.