Anson Dorrance, who has the most NCAA championships by a head coach in any Division I sport with 21 titles, is retiring after 45 seasons leading the women’s soccer program at North Carolina.
The Tar Heels announced that Dorrance informed athletic director Bubba Cunningham of his decision on Friday and told the team on Sunday, just four days before their season opener at Denver.
Dorrance also coached both the men’s and women’s teams early in his career, but he achieved his greatest success with the women’s team.
Associate head coach Damon Nahas will be the interim women’s coach this season. Cunningham plans to look for a new head coach.
“As many of you know, I modeled our program after Dean Smith’s basketball program, and retiring at this time is a credit to his thinking, as well,” Dorrance said in a statement. “He would re-evaluate his tenure, not after the season, but after he had time to re-charge his batteries before the next season. When he didn’t, he retired.”
Dorrance mentioned that although he was excited for the season, he realized he did not have the energy to give 100% to the job.
At 73 years old, Dorrance is one of the most successful coaches in college sports history.
He was the first and only head coach of North Carolina women’s soccer, leading the team to a 934-88-53 record over 45 seasons (1979-2023). He also coached the men’s team from 1977-88, winning 172 games and guiding UNC to an ACC title and an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1987.
“Anson is an all-time soccer, coaching, and Tar Heel legend,” Cunningham said. “The numbers and accomplishments are staggering and will be hard for any coach or program to match or surpass. His impact on the development and growth of women’s sports across the country and around the world has been profound.”
North Carolina women’s soccer has won 22 national championships (including an AIAW title in 1981 and 21 NCAA titles) and has appeared in six other national championship games.
The 934 wins, 21 NCAA titles, and 147 NCAA Tournament wins are the highest in women’s soccer history. The Tar Heels enter the 2024 season with a record 513 consecutive weeks ranked.
