UNC head coach Anson Dorrance signs five-year contract extension

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance, a Hall of Famer who has won 22 national championships with the Tar Heels, has agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension. The new contract runs through June 30, 2028.

“Anson Dorrance is a legendary leader not only of our women’s soccer program, but also within our Department and University,” UNC director of athletics Bubba Cunningham said. “He is a teacher and mentor who has long been committed to excellence, innovation and to creating the next generation of leaders in and outside of sports. He is a champion, and we are pleased that we will continue to be able to cheer his teams to more championships in the years to come.”

Dorrance recently completed his 44th season as the Tar Heels’ head coach. His teams have a record of 921-86-46 (.915). Under Dorrance, UNC has won 22 national championships, including 21 NCAA crowns and one AIAW title. UNC has won 22 outright regular-season ACC titles and shared three other regular-season crowns while capturing 22 ACC Tournament championships during his tenure as head coach.

Dorrance’s teams are 237-30-15 (.893) in ACC regular-season games, 72-7-6 (.898) in ACC Tournament matches and 144-16-5 in NCAA Tournament games.

“To have the opportunity to be working in paradise to represent this extraordinary university has been my privilege going back to 1976 when I assisted my college coach, Dr. Marvin Allen,” Dorrance said. “I love where we are as a program and where we are going with elite coaches Damon Nahas and Nathan Thackeray setting high standards on the field. I also love what is happening off the field, as Chris Ducar positions us to compete every year to be first in home attendance.

“I want to thank Bubba Cunningham, my Athletic Director, Kevin Guskiewicz, our Chancellor and the Board of Trustees for their continued trust because ‘together we win’ while we ‘educate and inspire’ a new collection of extraordinary athletes to represent this elite University.”

A 1974 Carolina graduate, Dorrance has won a combined 1,192 games at his alma mater while coaching UNC’s men’s (1977-88) and women’s soccer programs. He captured his 900th win as Carolina’s women’s coach against Notre Dame in the 2021 home finale on Oct. 24. His 921 victories as head coach of the UNC women’s soccer program are the most in the sport’s history.

In 2022, the Tar Heels shared their 25th ACC regular season title, advanced to the ACC title game and made their unprecedented 31st appearance in the NCAA College Cup.

Dorrance has coached 19 different players to National Player of the Year honors, including three-time recipients Cindy Parlow and Mia Hamm, who was selected the Greatest Female Athlete in the ACC’s first 50 years.

Dorrance has been named National Coach of the Year seven times.