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UNC's Anson Dorrance modeled retirement timing after Dean Smith
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.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. North Carolina posted a 934-88-53 record under Dorrance, who began in the 1979 season. The Tar Heels won a AIAW national title before the run of NCAA crowns. There were six runner-up seasons. Dorrance admitted that he modeled the timing after legendary men's basketball coach Dean Smith, who exited his North Carolina position a few weeks prior to a new season in 1997.
College athletics have changed in recent years and the impact has hit the Tar Heels, who've seen roster fluctuations. North Carolina's last national title came in 2012. 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. 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.
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