Anson Dorrance, whose 21 NCAA championships are the most by a head coach in any Division I sport in college athletics history, is retiring after 45 seasons directing the women’s soccer program at the University of North Carolina.
Dorrance informed Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham of his intention to retire on Friday, Aug. 9, and told the team Sunday afternoon.
The Tar Heels open the regular season on 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,” says Dorrance. “He would re-evaluate 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…
