UNC Women's Soccer: Legendary coach Anson Dorrance announces his retirement

Another legendary coaching career has come to an end.

After leading the UNC women's soccer program for the last 45 seasons, Anson Dorrance has announced his retirement from coaching. This comes just days before the program is slated to kick-off it's 2024 season in Denver, Colorado.

Dorrance led the Tar Heels to 21 NCAA Championships, the most by any coach among any Division I sport in college athletics history. He led North Carolina to a 934-88-53 record during his tenure, as he also added an additional 172 victories as the coach of the men's team from 1977-1988.

In total, Dorrance recorded 1,106 victories during his time in Chapel Hill.

Now 73-years-old, the timing may surprise us all, but it was a decision that Dorrance thought long and hard about. In the university's official press release, Dorrance released a statement that discusses his decision to step away from coaching.

"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 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."

With the season set to begin this week, associate head coach Damon Nahas has been named the interim head coach for the upcoming campaign. A national search will begin to find the permanent replacement for the legendary Anson Dorrance.

The University of North Carolina has had quite a few legendary coaches along the way, but not many can say that they put together the success that Anson Dorrance did during his tenure. Needless to say, Coach Dorrance will be missed, but his legacy will last a lifetime.