Late UNC coach willed nearly $36,000 to former players

University of North Carolina coach Dean Smith spent more than 30 years at the helm of the Tar Heels basketball team before retiring in 1997. And though Smith — who never coached at any other school — passed away last month at the age of 83, he's still giving back to the players he led.

Tim Breedlove, the trustee of Smith's trust, is sending letters to each of Smith's former lettermen attached to a $200 check from Smith's estate. "Each player was important and special to Coach Smith," the letter explains. "Accordingly, Coach directed that following his passing each letterman be sent a two hundred dollar ($200.00) check with the message 'enjoy a dinner out, compliments of Coach Dean Smith.'"

Breedlove told ESPN.com that about 180 checks were sent Monday to Smith's former UNC players. That's roughly $36,000 from the late coach's estate that is going to his former lettermen. "That's the kind of man he was," Breedlove said. "It's one more example of his thoughtfulness."

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