After his High School campaign, 6x NBA champion and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan enrolled at the University of North Carolina. He played three seasons with them and had a dominant run. The Hall of Fame and legendary coach Dean Smith led the charge for the team.

He played for the Tar Heels basketball program led by Dean Smith and then assistant coach Roy Williams. After decades of dominating the NBA, Jordan and coach Smith shared an emotional moment at their reunion.

Dean Smith was the ‘Second father’ of Michael Jordan

In an interview, Jordan reflected on when he and his first college coach, Dean Smith. They reunited at the University of North Carolina in 2007. To honor the basketball teams of 1957 and 1982. When Jordan and Smith came face-to-face with each other, Jordan kissed coach Smith on his head in complete admiration and gratitude. When asked what the moment and the iconic photo that captured it meant to him, Jordan said, “A son seeing his father who hasn’t seen for so long.” Jordan and coach Smith shared a special bond during their run.

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After the tragic passing of Coach Smith in 2015, while reflecting on his relationship with him, Jordan said, “He was more than a coach–he was my mentor, my teacher, my second father.” Jordan has claimed on numerous occasions that other than his parents, no one had a more significant influence in his life than coach Smith. Coach Smith played an important role in developing Jordan as a player. Under coach Smith’s guidance and support, Jordan evolved from a raw athletic guard from high school to an elite basketball player. With finesse and skill when leaving the Tar Heels. 

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Dean Smith was an exceptional coach in the 60s and 70s but had never managed to win a championship. But after Jordan arrived in 1981, the Tar Heels managed to win their first NCAA championship. Under coach Smith in 1982.

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Dean Smith was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. And further in the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. Coach Smith holds several records and accolades that may never be broken. He had a mind-blowing winning percentage for his overall career at 77.6%. Many consider him one of the greatest college coaches of all time.