Greatest College Basketball Coaches of All Time
Dawn Staley or Dean Smith
Pick Your Favorite
VS
Your GOAT List
Why This Battle Matters
Isn't this what we live for in college hoops? Dawn Staley, the fiery trailblazer with back-to-back national titles, squares off against Dean Smith, the timeless architect of basketball philosophy. Here’s a clash not just of record books, but of epochs—Staley’s relentless modern dynamism against Smith’s storied Carolina Way. It’s a visceral tug-of-war over the soul of college basketball; tradition versus innovation, tactical brilliance versus pioneering leadership. Which legacy do you believe steers the future of the sport? Your choice whispers your answer.
🔥 Fan Takes
How Fans Are Voting
In this battle:
Fans currently prefer Dean Smith over Dawn Staley when it comes to the greatest College Basketball Coaches of all time. In head-to-head matchups, fans pick Dean Smith 100.0% of the time over Dawn Staley.
Across all battles:
Dean Smith win rate: 68.8%
Dawn Staley win rate: 15.4%
Fan FAQs
Who's the #1 contender on GoatWars in this league?
In the Greatest College Basketball Coaches of All Time league, Mike Krzyzewski takes the top spot. You can see how he ranks against others on the GOAT List.
Why do fans adore Dawn Staley?
Dawn Staley is admired for her fiery coaching style and for leading South Carolina to national prominence. Fans love her for breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of athletes and coaches in women's basketball.
Why is Dean Smith winning by so much in the battle against Dawn Staley?
Dean Smith is a legend, revered for transforming UNC into a powerhouse and mentoring players like Michael Jordan. The huge lead in this matchup really comes down to his historic impact and a fanbase that respects his long-standing legacy in college basketball.