After 45 seasons at the helm of the program, UNC women’s soccer head coach Anson Dorrance announced his retirement on Sunday afternoon.
The seven-time National Coach of the Year was the first and only women’s soccer head coach at North Carolina to date and led UNC to a 934-88-53 record over his tenure — the most wins in the sport’s history. Dorrance’s 21 NCAA championship titles are the most by a head coach in any Division I sport.
Associate head coach Damon Nahas will take over as interim head coach, while Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham conducts a national search for Dorrance’s replacement. The Tar Heels open the season on Thursday at Denver.
“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,” Dorrance said in a statement. “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."
Last season, the Tar Heels finished with a 13-2-8 record and narrowly missed the College Cup after surrendering a 3-0 lead to BYU in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals. Following the loss, 21 players on the 2023 roster left the program with nine transferring to other schools, and 11 going pro.
According to the press release, Dorrance informed Cunningham of his decision on Friday and notified the team on Sunday. Cunningham, Dorrance and Chancellor Lee Roberts will host a press conference on Monday at 2 p.m. in the Bowles Room in the Dean E. Smith Center.
Under his leadership, North Carolina has clinched 22 of the 32 ACC tournament titles and advanced to 31 of the 42 College Cups ever played — 17 more than any other program. The Tar Heels are the only team to have competed in every NCAA tournament and have finished first or tied for first in the ACC regular season 25 times.
Dorrance is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame.
"Anson is an all-time soccer, coaching and Tar Heel legend," Cunningham said in a statement. "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.”
