Anson Dorrance retires as North Carolina women's soccer coach - ESPN

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Anson Dorrance, whose 21 NCAA championships are the most by a head coach in any Division I sport in college history, is retiring after 45 seasons directing the women's soccer program at North Carolina.

The Tar Heels said Dorrance informed athletic director Bubba Cunningham of his plans Friday and told the team Sunday, four days before its season opener at Denver.

Dorrance also overlapped as both the men's and women's coach early in his career, but his greatest success was with the women.

Associate head coach Damon Nahas will serve as interim women's coach this season. Cunningham plans to conduct a search for a new coach.

«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,» Dorrance said in a statement. «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.»

Dorrance said he was excited heading into the season, but came to the conclusion he did not have the energy to give 100% to the job.

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

The Tar Heels' first and only women's soccer head coach, Dorrance led UNC to a 934-88-53 record over 45 seasons (1979-2023). He also was men's coach from 1977 to '88, winning 172 games and guiding UNC to an ACC title and NCAA Final Four berth in 1987.

«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