Anson Dorrance announces retirement after 47 years

Anson Dorrance ’74, whose 21 NCAA championships are the most by a head coach in any Division I sport in college athletics history, is retiring after 47 years as a head coach at Carolina. Dorrance spent 45 years directing the Tar Heels’ women’s soccer program and coached the men’s program from 1977-88.

Dorrance informed Bubba Cunningham, Carolina’s athletics director, of his intention to retire Friday, Aug. 9, and told the team Sunday afternoon.

The Tar Heels open the regular season Thursday, Aug. 15, at Denver. Associate head coach Damon Nahas will lead the team this season as interim head coach. Cunningham will direct a national search.

“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,” said Dorrance. “He would reevaluate 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.

“After last season I initially was excited about the chance to bolster our roster, which we most certainly have done, but as preseason training camp went on, I realized I didn’t have the same energy it takes to give 100% to this year’s team. The players and staff, the University, Carolina Athletics and our great fans deserve more, and the respect I have for the amazing legacy the current and former players have built led me to make this decision at this time.”

Said Cunningham: “Anson is an all-time soccer, coaching and Tar Heel legend. The 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. Not only did he elevate women’s sports in the NCAA, but he also led the early dominance of the United States Women’s National Team. With Anson at the helm numerous Tar Heels raised trophies in the World Cup and later in the Olympics.”

Dorrance, 73, is one of the most successful coaches in college athletics history.

The Tar Heels’ first and only women’s soccer head coach to date, Dorrance led Carolina to a 934-88-53 record in 45 seasons (1979-2023). He also was head coach of the men’s soccer team from 1977-88, winning 172 games and guiding the Tar Heels to an ACC title and NCAA Final Four berth in 1987. Combined, Dorrance’s teams went 1,106-152-74 over 47 years.

“Anyone who knows Anson recognizes how deeply competitive he is, so to step aside now underscores his belief it is the right decision for the success of this year’s team. I have great respect for him and his decision,” says Cunningham. “Everyone at Carolina thanks Anson, M’Liss and their family for a 50-plus-year relationship with the University. He will forever be a Tar Heel.”

Carolina women’s soccer has won 22 national championships (AIAW in 1981 and 21 NCAA titles), played in six other national championship games, finished first or tied for first in the ACC regular season 25 times and captured 22 of 32 ACC Tournaments.

The Tar Heels have played in 31 of the 42 College Cups ever played, 17 more than any other program, and are the only team to compete in every NCAA Tournament.

The 934 wins, 21 NCAA titles, 147 NCAA Tournament wins and 31 College Cups (Final Fours) are the most in women’s soccer history. The Tar Heels enter the 2024 season having been ranked 513 consecutive weeks.

Carolina won the AIAW national title in 1981 and NCAA championships in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012. Over the last decade the Tar Heels have played in five College Cups.

“It is no exaggeration to say Anson Dorrance is one of the greatest collegiate coaches of all time, in any sport,” said Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “He has trained many of the best players in the history of U.S. women’s soccer and has led our program through decades of unparalleled success. Coach Dorrance has shaped the sport for generations to come and leaves an unequaled legacy at Carolina.”

A seven-time national coach of the year, Dorrance is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame (2008), United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame (2018), North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (2005) and North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame (2002).

He received a Priceless Gem from Carolina Athletics in 1994, the Walt Chyzowych Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association in 1996, a C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award from the University in 2010, the Werner Fricker Award from U.S. Soccer in 2016 and was inducted into Carolina’s Order of the Golden Fleece in 1988. In 2022, Dorrance was named one of 50 Champions of Women’s Athletics at Carolina to celebrate 50 years of Title IX.