North Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance bids goodbye after 21 titles

Updated Aug. 12, 2024 6:02 p.m. ET

Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.J. (AP) — Anson Dorrance’s unmatched success in college athletics began in an era when he was coaching two soccer teams at North Carolina.

There was little time for anything else, other than coaching. Going away on vacation was time away from the job, and Dorrance wanted his teams to succeed. They did, especially the women's program.

After 45 years, a very relaxing recent vacation and 21 national titles, Dorrance decided it was time to leave his position as the Tar Heels women’s soccer coach.

“I have no issue with the landscape changing,” Dorrance said Monday, a day after his alma mater announced his retirement. “I think there’s always going to be change. There’s change in our game and the system that we play and how we’re going to train them.”

For much of his time with the Tar Heels, there was little change. He directed teams to a Division I record of 21 NCAA championships as a coach, compiling two unbeaten streaks of more than 100 games.

Dorrance, 73, was mostly upbeat, though tears swelled a couple of times, while discussing his decision and reflecting on his career.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you what all this was built on,” Dorrance said. “There’s something profound about success in collegiate athletics. It’s based entirely on the quality of the athlete that you recruit. And for some extraordinary reason, we have had some amazing athletes come here.”

North Carolina posted a 934-88-53 record under Dorrance, who began in the 1979 season. The Tar Heels won a AIAW national title before the run of NCAA crowns. There were six runner-up seasons.

Such unwavering dominance also meant a certain lifestyle.

“I hate vacation,” he said. “Whenever we used to go on vacation, I would think that someone was getting ahead of me and I was stressed out the entire vacation.”

He said he never went on a vacation of more than one week until this summer’s extensive European family excursion.

“I came back absolutely refreshed,” Dorrance said. “And you know what? I kind of liked being on vacation for a couple weeks because I’ve never experienced that before.”

This year’s North Carolina team has been in full preparation for another season, which begins Thursday night at Denver. Earlier this month, the Tar Heels beat DC Power, a first-division professional team, 5-1 in an exhibition game.

Dorrance felt so good about the state of his program that he figured it was an ideal time to move on. Associate head coach Damon Nahas was named interim coach for this season.

“I would say he still had the same energy as always,” said Tessa Dellarose, a junior defender on this year’s team.

Dorrance admitted that he modeled the timing after legendary men’s basketball coach Dean Smith, who exited his North Carolina position a few weeks prior to a new season in 1997.

“I’m following my mentor because that’s exactly how he retired,” Dorrance said.

College athletics have changed in recent years and the impact has hit the Tar Heels, who’ve seen roster fluctuations. North Carolina’s last national title came in 2012.

“So we have to adapt to change,” Dorrance said. “The changes are actually, in my opinion, a lot of them are incredibly positive.”

Athletics director Bubba Cunningham, who’ll be tasked with filling a position that had never been vacant, said Dorrance set a standard to be admired.

“The culture of our department has been built on our coaches,” Cunningham said. “… and he has been the leader.”

Dorrance’s tenure wasn’t without complications. A sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a pair of former players resulted in a settlement in 2008. The university backed the coach and said the $385,000 payment wasn’t an admission of guilt. There were no allegations of physical contact, and many former players had rallied around him.

On Monday, without mentioning it specifically, he thanked former athletics director Dick Baddour for his support during those times.

Dorrance coached the men’s team for two years before adding those duties with the new women’s program. Two-hour men’s practices were followed by two hours with the women.

“I never knew what was going to happen with this women’s team,” he said.

His record between the men and women combined is 1,106-152-74.

“Luck has a huge part in a lot of things,” said Dorrance, who always insisted on returning every message. “Good and bad luck are factors.”

During the decades of collegiate dominance, Dorrance also coached the U.S. women’s national team. He was always connected to the university, where the soccer/ lacrosse stadium on campus is named in his honor.

“I’ve never asked for a raise,” said Dorrance, who was once wooed by Stanford. “It’s a privilege to coach here. That’s the way I’ve always looked at it.”

Not only will Dorrance’s impact be lasting, but his presence is bound to be felt this season and beyond with the program he built from scratch.

“I am going to be heavily involved,” he said.

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