Former North Carolina coach Dean Smith dies at age 83

Former North Carolina head men's basketball coach Dean Smith died Saturday evening in Chapel Hill. He was 83 years old.

"Coach Dean Smith passed away peacefully the evening of February 7 at his home in Chapel Hill, and surrounded by his wife and five children," the Smith family said in a statement, released through the university's official athletics website. "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 served as head coach of the Tar Heels from 1961-97, retiring as college basketball's winningest coach. He led North Carolina to national championships in 1982 and 1993, won 13 ACC Tournament titles, appeared in 11 Final Fours and guided the United States men's basketball team to a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

He compiled a record of 879-254 in 36 seasons in Chapel Hill, setting the record for most wins by a Division I men's coach. He led the Tar Heels to the Final Four in four of his final seven seasons with the program. The team won at least 20 games for 27 straight years during his tenure. No coach has ever helped a program to that many consecutive 20-win seasons.

Smith was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983, and is also a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was named a member of the inaugural class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame alongside Dr. James Naismith, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell and John Wooden.

In 2013, Smith received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His wife, Linnea, accepted the award on his behalf from President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House.