And Then There Was the Time Dean Smith Won a Gold Medal Posted Jul 1, 2012 Dean Smith's role as coach of the 1976 Olympic basketball team doesn't get much mention in the annals of Carolina basketball. Part of it is because the U.S. was expected to win the gold medal every time, even when putting amateur college kids up against the professionals of other nations. And it was Dean Smith. Of course he'd lead America to victory. But it was a bigger gamble than you'd think. (Carolina March)