Called a "coaching legend" by the Basketball Hall of Fame, Dean Smith coached for 36 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He coached from 1961 to 1997 and retired with 879 victories, which was the NCAA Division I men's basketball record at that time. Smith had the 9th highest winning percentage of any men's college basketball coach (77.6%). During his tenure as head coach, North Carolina won two national championships and appeared in 11 Final Fours. He passed away in February 2015.

This hardback copy of "A Coach's Life" was signed by Smith on the cover page in blue ballpoint pen. This book includes a JSA sticker and COA.