Former Tar Heel head coach and longtime assistant to Dean Smith, Bill Guthridge has died, just three months after his longtime friend and mentor. Inside Carolina was the first to report the story.
According to his official bio, Guthridge, who like his mentor hailed from Kansas, joined Dean Smith's staff in 1967 and remained the legendary coach's right hand man for 30 years which included two NCAA titles and numerous trips to the Final Four. When Dean Smith retired in October, 1997, Guthridge's loyalty was rewarded with the head coaching job.
Guthridge took charge of a loaded roster in 1998 which included NPOY Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, UNC's eventual all-time assist leader Ed Cota and Shammond Williams who left Chapel Hill as one of the most prolific three point shooters in Tar Heel history.