Anson Dorrance, Legendary Coach, Retires After 45 Seasons at UNC

Anson Dorrance, the iconic head coach of the University of North Carolina's women's soccer team, is retiring after an illustrious 45-season career.

Dorrance, who holds the record for the most NCAA championships by any Division I head coach, announced his decision to athletic director Bubba Cunningham on Friday and informed his team on Sunday, just days before their season opener against Denver.

Throughout his career, Dorrance has been a cornerstone of college soccer, achieving unprecedented success with the Tar Heels.

Although he also coached the men's team early in his career, his most significant accomplishments came with the women's program.

Under his leadership, UNC amassed a record of 934-88-53 from 1979 to 2023, making him one of the most successful coaches in college athletics history.

He also guided the men's team to 172 victories, an ACC title, and an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1987.

Dorrance's retirement comes at a time when he felt he could no longer give 100% to the job, despite his initial excitement for the upcoming season.

"As many of you know, I modeled our program after Dean Smith's basketball program," Dorrance said in a statement.

"Retiring at this time is a credit to his thinking, as well. He would re-evaluate his tenure, not after the season, but after he had time to recharge his batteries prior to the next season. When he didn't, he retired."

Damon Nahas, the associate head coach, will serve as the interim women's coach for the season while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted.

Under Dorrance's guidance, the Tar Heels' women's soccer team became a powerhouse, winning 22 national championships—one AIAW title in 1981 and 21 NCAA titles.

They appeared in six additional national championship games and set records with 934 wins and 147 NCAA Tournament victories.

The team has also been ranked for 513 consecutive weeks heading into the 2024 season.

Dorrance's impact extends beyond victories and championships. "Anson is an all-time soccer, coaching, and Tar Heel legend," Cunningham said.

"His numbers and accomplishments are staggering and will be hard for any coach or program to replicate or exceed. His impact on the development and growth of women's sports across the country and around the world has been profound."

Chancellor Lee Roberts echoed these sentiments, highlighting Dorrance's influence on U.S. women's soccer and his role in developing some of the sport's greatest players, including Cindy Parlow Cone, the current president of U.S. Soccer, and Mia Hamm, who was named the ACC's Greatest Female Athlete in the league's first 50 years.

Despite his storied career, Dorrance's tenure was not without controversy.

In 1998, former players Melissa Jennings and Debbie Keller filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him, alleging that he created an uncomfortable environment by inquiring about players' sexual activities.

Although Dorrance denied the harassment claims, he acknowledged engaging in jesting banter with groups of players. The lawsuit was settled in 2008.

Dorrance's accolades include being named national coach of the year seven times and his induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

His 21 NCAA championships are unmatched by any coach in Division I history.

The UNC women's soccer team, with its 21 titles, has more NCAA championships than any other women's team, with Stanford women's tennis trailing at 20.

As Dorrance steps down, his legacy as one of the greatest collegiate coaches of all time remains firmly intact.

His contributions to the sport and his influence on countless athletes will be remembered for generations.