Date Announced!!! Emotional!!!
Netflix to Release Special Documentary Honoring Legendary North Carolina Coach Dean Smith
Basketball fans, mark your calendars! Netflix has officially announced the release date for one of the most anticipated sports documentaries of the year — a moving tribute to the late, great Dean Smith, the legendary head coach of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team. The film, titled Dean Smith: More Than a Game, will premiere on September 15, 2025, promising an intimate, emotional journey through Smith’s extraordinary life, career, and legacy.
For Tar Heel faithful, college basketball enthusiasts, and sports lovers worldwide, this is not just another documentary — it’s a celebration of a man who transcended the game, a coach whose influence reached far beyond the hardwood floors of Chapel Hill.
A Coaching Icon
Dean Smith’s name is synonymous with excellence, integrity, and innovation in the world of college basketball. Over a coaching career that spanned 36 seasons at UNC, Smith compiled an astonishing 879 victories — a record at the time of his retirement in 1997. He guided the Tar Heels to two NCAA championships (1982 and 1993), 11 Final Four appearances, 13 ACC Tournament titles, and 17 regular-season ACC championships.
Yet, for all his on-court success, Smith was revered as much for who he was off the court as for what he accomplished on it. The Netflix documentary will explore this dual legacy in depth, highlighting the values that made Smith not just a coach, but a mentor, civil rights advocate, and beloved figure in American sports culture.
An Emotional Production
Netflix executives and the documentary’s producers have described the project as one of their most emotional undertakings to date. “Dean Smith was more than a coach — he was a guiding light for so many,” said Emmy Award-winning director Ava Rosenthal, who helmed the project. “We wanted this film to capture not only his wins and accolades, but his heart, his courage, and his unwavering commitment to doing what was right, even when it wasn’t easy.”
The film reportedly features never-before-seen footage from Smith’s early years in Topeka, Kansas, his tenure at UNC, and candid moments with players and colleagues. It will also include extensive interviews with an impressive array of former players, coaches, family members, and sports historians. Among the voices featured are basketball luminaries Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Roy Williams, Phil Ford, and Hubert Davis — all of whom speak candidly about Smith’s profound impact on their lives.
“Coach Smith taught us about basketball, but more importantly, he taught us about life,” Michael Jordan says in one interview segment. “He made me a better player, but also a better man.”
A Man of Principle
One of the most powerful aspects of the documentary is its exploration of Smith’s role as a social justice pioneer. In the 1960s, at a time of heightened racial tension in the American South, Smith took a courageous stand by recruiting Charlie Scott, the first Black scholarship athlete at UNC. This bold move helped integrate not only the Tar Heel basketball program but also sent a strong message to the broader community.
The film delves deeply into this chapter of Smith’s life, with reflections from Scott himself. “Without Coach Smith, who knows how different my life would have been?” Scott remarks in the documentary. “He gave me an opportunity when very few others would have.”
Smith’s advocacy didn’t stop there. Throughout his life, he spoke out against the death penalty, opposed the Vietnam War, and championed numerous social causes. The documentary paints a portrait of a man unafraid to use his platform for good — a coach who viewed leadership as a moral responsibility.
A Lasting Influence
The film also highlights how Smith’s coaching philosophy shaped modern basketball. Known for popularizing the “Four Corners” offense and for his team-first approach, Smith emphasized unselfish play, sportsmanship, and the importance of education. Over 96 percent of his players graduated, a testament to his commitment to their development as whole individuals.
Former Tar Heel point guard Phil Ford speaks to this in the film: “Coach always told us that basketball was what we did, not who we were. He cared about us as people first.”
Director Ava Rosenthal notes that this focus on values was central to the documentary’s narrative. “We want viewers to come away with a deeper understanding of why Coach Smith was so beloved — not just in North Carolina, but across the sports world and beyond,” she said.
The Release and Reception
The announcement of Dean Smith: More Than a Game has already generated widespread excitement. Social media has been flooded with emotional responses from fans and former players alike. The official trailer, released alongside the date announcement, has garnered millions of views within hours, with many praising its poignant tone and stirring imagery.
Netflix plans a special red-carpet premiere in Chapel Hill on September 10, with members of Smith’s family, former players, and university officials in attendance. The event will be livestreamed globally, allowing fans everywhere to participate in honoring the late coach.
A Personal Journey
For the filmmakers, the project was a labor of love. “I grew up in North Carolina, where Coach Smith was a larger-than-life figure,” Rosenthal shared. “But working on this documentary, I came to appreciate him even more — not just for the wins, but for the way he lived his life.”
In crafting the film, the team conducted over 100 interviews and combed through decades of archival footage and documents. They were also granted unprecedented access to the Smith family, who provided personal insights and materials from Dean’s private life.
Smith’s daughter, Sally Smith, expressed her gratitude for the documentary’s sensitive approach. “It was emotional for us to revisit so many memories, but we’re deeply touched by the care and respect shown by the filmmakers. We hope this film inspires others to carry forward my father’s values of integrity, compassion, and courage.”
More Than a Game
As the September 15 release date approaches, Dean Smith: More Than a Game promises to be more than just a basketball documentary. It is poised to be a universal story of leadership, character, and the power of one person to make a lasting difference.
In a world hungry for authentic heroes, Dean Smith’s story resonates as a beacon of hope and humanity. Whether you’re a lifelong Tar Heel, a basketball junkie, or someone who simply values kindness and integrity, this documentary is one you won’t want to miss.
So mark your calendars — and keep a box of tissues nearby. When Dean Smith: More Than a Game hits Netflix this fall, prepare to be moved, inspired, and reminded that in the end, it’s always about more than a game.
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