College Basketball

Bill Guthridge on how to be a good No. 2


1996 file photo – The loyalty Bill Guthridge (left) has for his boss, Dean Smith, is legendary. Once he yelled at former Maryland coach Lefty Driesell for showing poor sportsmanship when he refused to shake Smith's hand after a game. When players are substituted they sit next to Guthridge so they can receive the wisdom of his observations.
1996 file photo – The loyalty Bill Guthridge (left) has for his boss, Dean Smith, is legendary. Once he yelled at former Maryland coach Lefty Driesell for showing poor sportsmanship when he refused to shake Smith's hand after a game. When players are substituted they sit next to Guthridge so they can receive the wisdom of his observations.

Editor’s note: This was originally published on February 10, 1996.

Coach Bill Guthridge’s tips for second fiddle contentment:

You have to be happy with your job. “I really felt I had the best job. You have to look forward to going to work and I still look forward to going to my job. Every day.”

You have to have a good boss. “Dean Smith has been the ultimate boss. I couldn’t have done this for anybody.”

You have to be satisfied with what you’re paid. “I’m in a situation where I’m paid more than I’m worth. I could have made more as a head coach but a lot of times people will leave situations because they have to make more money for their family. That wasn’t the case for me. Dean has always taken care of me and my family.”

You have to be comfortable in the shadow of your boss. “I don’t think that Dean Smith has needed me as much as I have needed him. I think I’ve contributed to the program, but there are a lot of people who could have done the job I’ve done.”

David Perlmutt

This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Bill Guthridge on how to be a good No. 2."

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