Rating: 
Summary: The Dean of All Coaches
Review: "A Coach's Life" details the interesting facts of Dean Smith's story - from his childhood memories to his first coaching job to reaching the pinnacle of his career (winning the NCAA titles in 1982 and 1993). Along the way, you meet many people who enriched Dean's life and who, in turn, were enriched by him...there's Michael Jordan, of course, but Dean also reveals details of his relationships with a number of his players, associates and opponents, including John Thompson, James Worthy, and Frank McGuire, to name a few.To his credit, he avoids speaking negatively about others. It seems that he was operating under the axiom, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." This would explain the virtual omission of Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski - glaring by its absence. So be warned - those looking for a mud-slinging expose' will be disappointed. But that's OK - Dean showed that he didn't have to write a "tell-all" in order to write a good book. It's just a story of a simple Kansas boy who found a way to make a difference in people's lives. And what's wrong with that? Rating: 4 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: The best non-fictional basketball book ever written
Review: A true book by the greatest coach of all time. He not only tells about basketball, but he tells about how he was raised in a good Christian home. Any Carolina fan should have this book.
Rating:
Summary: a great look inside the heart and mind of a living legend !!
Review: college basketball's greatest coach chronicles his life and details the philosophy and principles which governed his life and his approach to basketball. after reading the book you will understand why many consider him not only the greatest college basketball coach,but an even greater man.
Rating:
Summary: A Feel Good Book with Substance
Review: Dean Smith accomplishes something truly remarkable in this I 300+ page book. Not a negative word. The book is a building block to help coaches develop fine young men and women. Dean Smith is a true gentleman, and a man of principles who passes along valuable nuggets to coach any sport. The hardest thing for a coach to do is to set and maintain a culture of a team. Smith does this in a focused and people-minded(caring yet pushing them to be better) way. It's not just about winning. He regularly put in his 8-12 spot players in every game in the second half regardless of what the score was. This way they had something to look forward to in each game and would work hard at practice. Carolina had a rule "pass ahead"--pass to the guy who is ahead of you to advance the ball up the floor. What a great message (team enhancing and unselfish) for young players in basketball, soccer, and hockey. What most impressed me about this book was how positive Smith is. He is so complimentary to the people who matter in his life. It is always about them not about him. The one thing which I found curious was very little mention of his first and unsuccessful marriage to Ann. But I also respect his desire to keep their married life personal. If you are a dedicated coach then read this book, and Jim Thompson's Positive Coaching. Both are testimonials to what Erik Erikson coined the "generative" capabilities of men.
Rating:
Summary: Still The Best
Review: Dean Smith once again shows why he is the best coach of all time. "A Coach's Life" is not only an indepth look into Carolina Basketball, but a humorous, moving and inspirational look inside the man. A book for the true Carolina Fan! Thanks Coach Smith!
Rating:
Summary: Still The Best
Review: Dean Smith once again shows why he is the best coach of all time. "A Coach's Life" is not only an indepth look into Carolina Basketball, but a humorous, moving and inspirational look inside the man. A book for the true Carolina Fan! Thanks Coach Smith!
Rating:
Summary: Still The Best
Review: Dean Smith once again shows why he is the best coach of all time. "A Coach's Life" is not only an indepth look into Carolina Basketball, but a humorous, moving and inspirational look inside the man. A book for the true Carolina Fan! Thanks Coach Smith!
Rating:
Summary: Smith shares his thoughts with extreme candor
Review: Dean Smith shares his thoughts on Carolina basketball and his life with extreme candor, and warmth to all readers. His candor still today can be heard on occassion on the Road to the Final Four where he isn't afraid to point out who he feels is bad and what he feels about college basketball today. If your a fan of basketball this to me is a Must Read!
Rating:
Summary: The inside story from the master of the game
Review: For years we've all wondered just how he does it -- from telling freshman Michael Jordan to "knock it down" in the final seconds of the Georgetown game to resting his starters in the final minutes of the '93 national championship. How does he know? This book offers outstanding insight into the man and the game he mastered. If you care at all about college basketball, you must read this book. There will never be another Dean Smith.
Rating: 
Summary: Chronological yet disjointed
Review: The book cover states "with warmth, humor, and unflinching candor, he gives readers the best seat in the house...." If you are expecting any of that you will be disappointed...there are no warm fuzzies, it is not funny, and maybe not so sincere. This book does provide a wordy chronological history of over 30 years of Tarheel basketball....blah, blah, blah.
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