Dean Smith, Roy Williams To Be Honored Along Stretches of I-40

On Wednesday, the North Carolina Department of Transportation formally approved a unique request from UNC: two stretches of Interstate 40 in Orange and Durham Counties will be officially renamed in honor of former basketball head coaches Dean Smith and Roy Williams.

Dept. Of Transporation Honors Dean Smith & Roy Williams https://t.co/Wq6HIfbO2M

— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 8, 2021

The portion of the highway between exits 266 and 270 will be renamed the Roy Williams Highway, while the stretch between exits 270 and 273 will be christened the Dean Smith Highway. Both stretches provide transportation to and from the Dean Smith Center and the UNC campus.

“Dean Smith and Roy Williams are two of the greatest to ever have coached college basketball,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement. “And while their combined five national championships helped make UNC one of the premier basketball institutions in the country, it is their work off the court and in their communities that truly sets them apart. North Carolinians across the state are grateful for their leadership and these honorary road namings will help us recognize them for their hard work and sacrifice.”

Smith and Williams combined to coach 67 seasons at Carolina, winning 1,364 games and five national championships. Both are also members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

“I’m flattered and consider myself to be a very lucky person to receive such an honor,” said Williams. “This came as a complete surprise. I never had an idea this was in the works. It’s something our family and friends will share with a great deal of pride and will mean even more years from now as our grandkids and their families can see those signs with pride and enjoyment.”

Smith’s widow, Linnea, and his five children accepted the honor on the late coach’s behalf.

“This is a tremendous honor,” the family said in a statement. “We are grateful to the Town of Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for arranging this lasting recognition. Though we know our dad didn’t want to be in the spotlight, he traveled these roads often both as a recruiter and a competitor. We hope as others drive through this area, either coming to Chapel Hill, supporting a home or rival team or are just passing through, they might have a positive memory of Coach Smith, about a game, the basketball teams he coached or time spent in this town and at the university.”

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Dean Smith, Roy Williams To Be Honored Along Stretches of I-40

On Air Now: 97.9 FM