Legendary UNC Coach Calls It A Career
Here’s a name for you, Anson Dorrance. Scratching your head? I’ll get to that in a second. I’m a huge sports fan. I’m sure lots of you are too. So when I ask you to name the most epically successful college coaches in history, who’s on your list? Bear Bryant? Sure. Nick Saban? Of Course. You’d be hard pressed to match those two Alabama football coaches. How about basketball? John Wooden or Gino Auriemma or even Dean Smith? Sure. You can make an argument for all of these. Now, what if I tell you that Anson Dorrance has had a college coaching career whose success rate laughs at all of these? Chances are, your fist question is, “Who is Anson Dorrance?!”
Who Is Anson Dorrance?
Anson Dorrance is a 1974 graduate of the University of North Carolina. For the last 45 years he’s been the Head Women’s Soccer Coach. And he’s the GOAT of GOATS. In those four and a half decades, he’s won an astonishing 21 National Championships. And wait until I put that in perspective in a moment. Astonishingly iconic doesn’t even scratch the surface of how to describe his career. And now, Anson Dorrance has made the call that it’s time for him to step down. He told UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham of his decision on Friday and informed his team over the weekend.
Why Is Anson Dorrance Retiring?
In a statement quoted by CBS 17, Dorrance explains, “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. 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. 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.”
How About The Accomplishments of Anson Dorrance
We could be here all day. So, I’m just gonna give you the highlights. Let’s start with his record. 934-88-53. In 1,075 games coached, he won 87% of them. Are you kidding me?! I already mentioned the national championships. Oh, and there’s ONLY been 31 NCAA College Cup Tournaments. UNC is THE ONLY school who has been a part of every one of them. And won 80% of them. WHAT?! That…that’s just stupid good. And you don’t get that kind of record without great players. 59 former Tar Heels ended up playing for the U.S. women’s national team. Two of these players, Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox, were a part of the gold medal team in the recent Paris Olympic Games. Oh, and speaking of the USWNT? Dorrance was also the head coach of that team as well from 1986 until 1994, even winning the first-ever Women’s World Cup in China in 1991.
Here's What ESPN Thinks About The Major North Carolina College Football Teams
App State
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 19: Tyler Page #20 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers gets tackled by Chance Singleton #11 of the Georgia State Panthers in the second quarter at Kidd Brewer Stadium on October 19, 2022 in Boone, North Carolina.
Tier 11: They’re frisky enough to pull a surprise. Joined by several other teams in their conference App makes the “they could be overlooked and win a game” class. And that is something the Mountaineers have been known to do. ESPN put 11 teams in this tier- Air Force, Army, Coastal Carolina, FAU, Fresno State, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Marshall, North Texas, Ohio, San Diego State, and Western Kentucky.
Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Trent Bostick #81 of the Charlotte 49ers celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ football game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Jerry Richardson Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tier 20: Told you it could be worse. ESPN doesn’t have high hopes for this team that honestly I forgot was even D1. New coach Biff Poggi has created an interesting stir around Charlotte, but will he win on the field? Joining UNCC in this worst of the worst tier are Akron, FIU, Hawaii, Kent State, New Mexico State, Texas State, and UMASS.
Duke
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 30: A.T. Perry #9 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons makes a catch againt Leonard Johnson #33 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game at Truist Field on October 30, 2021 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Tier 6: Something good to watch before basketball season. Duke has been above average at some points in football, but they will always be a basketball school.
East Carolina
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates celebrates a touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen during the first half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Tier 16: They probably won’t be awful. I mean, I guess that’s something to be proud of? Joining ECU in this category are Buffalo, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Old Dominion, Tulsa, Utah State, and Wyoming.
NC State
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 05: Cyrus Fagan #4 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack intercepts a pass intended for Taylor Morin #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. NC State won 30-21.
Tier 3B: Teams that should prevent a lot of points from being scored. This tier included 6 teams with anticipated impressive defenses- NC State, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Pitt.
North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 25: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels breaks away from Drake Thomas #32 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack for a touchdown during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Wolfpack won 30-27 in overtime.
Tier 3A: Teams that should score a bunch of points. In contrast, these 4 teams including UNC behind Drake Maye, are expected to have high-powered offenses. Other teams in this tier are Arkansas, Ole Miss, and TCU.
Wake Forest
Tier 6: Something good to watch before basketball season. It will be interesting to see how Wake Forest fares without quarterback Sam Hartman. Unlike Duke who is also in this tier, I also don’t think of Wake as a basketball school. But ESPN but them in this tier along with Duke, Kansas, Maryland, Syracuse, and UCLA.
