Dean Smith, the former University of North Carolina men's basketball coach who retired in 1997 as the all-time leader in Division 1 victories, died Saturday night at his home.
He was 83 years old.
Smith coached the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997, compiling a career record of 879-254 and winning NCAA championships in 1982 and 1993.
The school also reached the Final Four 11 times under Smith.
"We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as arrangements are made available to the public. Thank you," Smith's family said in the statement.
At the time of his passing, Smith was surrounded by his wife and five children.
Over the course of his legendary reign, Smith coached such stars as Sam Perkins, Bob McAdoo, James Worthy and Michael Jordan.
Due serious health issues, wife Linnea accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Smith's behalf from President Barack Obama in November 2013.
"It's such a great loss for North Carolina -- our state, the University, of course the Tar Heel basketball program, but really the entire basketball world," said current Tar Heels coach Roy Williams, who spent 10 years as an assistant under Smith.
"We lost one of our greatest ambassadors for college basketball for the way in which a program should be run. We lost a man of the highest integrity who did so many things off the court to help make the world a better place to live in."
Last month, beloved SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott died. The reporter was also a member of the University of North Carolina family.
THG sends our thoughts and prayers to Smith's loved ones.
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