Former UNC Coach Bill Guthridge Dies

Former UNC basketball coach Bill Guthridge has died at age 77. 

Guthridge had the unenviable task of following famed coach Dean Smith at the helm of the Tar Heels basketball team, taking the top post after 30 years as Smith's assistant.

Guthridge exceeded many fans' expectations, leading the Tar Heels to two final fours during his three-year head coaching tenure.

As an assistant, he also was part of two national championships. He retired after the 2000 season. In 2013, he was elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Gov. Pat McCrory called Guthridge "a gentleman and a mentor."  The former coach had been in declining health for the last few years. His former boss and fellow Kansan, Dean Smith, died in February.