Dean Smith was n't just a coach , `` but a gentleman and a citizen , '' President says . The president said he had been told by the dean that Smith's actions were unacceptable to him as well as his fellow faculty members. President Obama said during the ceremony , `` While Coach Smith could n't join us today due to an illness that he 's facing with extraordinary courage , we also honor his courage in helping to change our country -- he recruited the first black scholarship athlete to North Carolina and helped to integrate a restaurant and a neighborhood in Chapel Hill . With a record of 879-254 , he is considered one of the best coaches of all time .
Dean Smith was n't just a coach , `` but a gentleman and a citizen , '' President says . The president said he had been told by the dean that Smith's actions were unacceptable to him as well as his fellow faculty members. With a record of 879-254 , he is considered one of the best coaches of all time .