Anson Dorrance retires as UNC women's soccer coach after NCAA-record 21 national titles
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- 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 an 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 before a new season in 1997.
"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 recharge his batteries prior to the next season. When he didn't, he retired."
College athletics have changed in recent years and the effect 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.
"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."
Dorrance's tenure wasn't without complications. A sexual harassment lawsuit filed in August 1998 by a pair of former players -- Melissa Jennings and Debbie Keller, a national player of the year -- resulted in a settlement in 2008. The two claimed Dorrance created an uncomfortable environment by asking players about their sexual activity.
Dorrance denied harassing his players, but in an apology letter sent he acknowledged participating in banter of a "jesting or teasing nature" with groups of players.
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."
A seven-time national coach of the year, Dorrance is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He is the career Division I leader for NCAA championships by a coach in any sport with 21. Al Scates (UCLA men's volleyball) and John McDonnell (Arkansas men's indoor track and field) are tied for second with 19.
"It is no exaggeration to say Anson Dorrance is one of the greatest collegiate coaches of all time, in any sport," Chancellor Lee Roberts said. "He has trained many of the best players in the history of U.S. women's soccer and has led our program through decades of unparalleled success."
Dorrance led the Tar Heels to five perfect seasons (unbeaten and untied) and six other seasons with no losses and three or fewer ties. He coached 19 players who won national player of the year awards, including three-time honoree Cindy Parlow (Cone), the current president of U.S. Soccer, and Mia Hamm, who was named the ACC's Greatest Female Athlete in the league's first 50 years.
Dorrance was the head coach of the U.S. national team from 1986-94, leading it to the title in the inaugural Women's World Cup in China in 1991.
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
