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Bill Guthridge, Former UNC Coach, Dies At 77- Players React On Twitter

By Lindsay McCane
Published on: 05:06 PST, May 13, 2015

Bill Guthridge, the former UNC coach and longtime assistant to his successor Dean Smith, has died at the age of 77.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the school announced today that Guthridge had passed away on Tuesday night. They did not release his cause of death, or the location.

Guthridge’s death comes only three months after Smith died at the age of 83. Guthridge spent 30 years as an assistant to Smith and helped him win national championships in 1982 and 1993.

The school took to their Twitter account to make the announcement and pay tribute to their beloved coach.

“Sad news. Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge passed away last night at age 77 w/ family at his side. 33 yrs on UNC bench. In our prayers,” the tweet read.

Bubba Cunningham also had some kind words about their former coach.

“Bill Guthridge was a gentlemen coach, but a fierce competitor, and an incredibly loyal member of Dean Smith’s staff for three decades. When it was his turn as head coach, he immediately won an ACC championship and took two teams to the Final Four. I learned very quickly how beloved and respected he was by people all across this community.”

Vince Carter also spoke highly of Guthridge in a post on Twitter.

“RIP Coach Guthridge, the day you took the job as head coach we knew we were in good hands. Your handshakes will be missed amongst the Carolina family. Rest easy my friend & my coach…” he wrote.

Click here to see a photo gallery of Bill’s time spent at UNC.

[Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images]

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