Women’s Soccer: Anson Dorrance stepping down after 45 years at UNC

Dean Smith used to say at UNC was a women’s soccer school, and it was because of Anson Dorrance, who invoked Smith on Sunday in the announcement that he is stepping down as the women’s soccer coach at North Carolina.

“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. He would re-evaluate his tenure, not after the season, but after he had time to re-charge his batteries prior to the next season. When he didn’t, he retired,” said Dorrance, a 1974 UNC alum who led the Tar Heels to 21 national championships in his 45 years directing the UNC women’s soccer program.

“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 percent 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,” Dorrance said.

Dorrance informed UNC Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham of his plans on Friday. The Tar Heels open their 2024 regular season this coming Thursday at Denver.

Associate head coach Damon Nahas will lead the team this season as interim head coach.

Cunningham will direct a national search for a permanent replacement.

“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,” Cunningham said. “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.”

Smith, famously, engineered the elevation of his long-time assistant, Bill Guthridge, when Smith stepped down on the eve of the 1997 season.

Guthridge would serve as the head coach at UNC for three seasons, leading the Tar Heels to two Final Fours.

That 1997-1998 team had guys you might remember named Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison.

The 2024 UNC women’s soccer team that Dorrance is handing over to Nahas, an eight-year veteran of the coaching staff at UNC, is preseason #8 nationally after getting knocked out in the Elite Eight in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

The ACC is loaded, as usual. Six teams are in the preseason Top 25, led by defending national champion Florida State at #1 and 2023 runner-up Stanford at #2.

Dorrance steps away with a 934-87-54 career record, the 21 national titles and 11 undefeated seasons in his tenure.

“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 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.”