"You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do it."
About Dean Smith
Dean Smith — Life and Legacy
Dean Smith is a prominent figure in English football, recognized for his impactful coaching career, particularly with Aston Villa. His approach emphasizes teamwork and resilience, which are central to his philosophy. Smith's belief that 'The best teams are those that work together' encapsulates his view that collaboration is essential for success. He challenges the notion that winning is the only measure of success, stating, 'Success is not just about winning,' which reflects his commitment to player development and personal growth. Throughout his career, Smith has faced various adversities, often stating, 'Adversity is an opportunity for growth.' This perspective has shaped his coaching style, encouraging players to learn from setbacks. His quote, 'Every setback is a setup for a comeback,' further illustrates his belief in resilience, motivating his teams to view challenges as stepping stones rather than obstacles. Smith's insights continue to resonate, influencing both players and aspiring coaches, as they highlight the importance of character and teamwork in sports.
Quote collection
Dean Smith quotes (page 1 of 3)
51 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat."
"What to do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it."
"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."
"A leader's job is to develop committed followers. Bad leaders destroy their followers' sense of commitment."
"Good people are happy when something good happens to someone else."
"A lion never roars after a kill."
"Basketball is a team game. But that doesn't mean all five players should have the same amount of shots."
"The truly free person in society is a disciplined person."
"There is a lot of basketball beyond our control, but a player should never let anyone try harder than he does"
"You should sub a player out when you see a player not going full-speed or playing selfish basketball."
"The coach's job is to be part servant in helping each player reach his goals within the team concept."
"Michael, if you can't pass, you can't play."
"One player's selfish attitude can poison a locker room and make it hard, if not impossible, to establish team work"
"I wasn't as critical during games as I was at practice. Players needed confidence during games more than criticism."
"I would never recruit a player who yells at his teammates, disrespected his high school coach, or scores 33 points a game and his team goes 10-10."
"I only use statistics to reinforce what I already think, or if it's something unusual."
"I always mean what I say, but I don't always say what I'm thinking."
"I enjoy basketball. I enjoy coaching basketball. It's the out-of-season stuff I didn't handle well."
"I think the real free person in society is one that's disciplined. It's the one that can choose; that is the free one."