Anson Dorrance

Anson Dorrance
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Name	Anson Dorrance
Sport	Soccer
Current title	Head coach
Current team	North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer
Birth date	9 April 1951
Birth place	Bombay, India
Alma mater	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Years	1979–present
Team	North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer
Overall record	887–75–40 (as of 2023)
Championships	22 NCAA National Championships
Awards	Hermann Trophy (1973), National Soccer Hall of Fame (2008), United States Soccer Federation Hall of Fame (2005)

Anson Dorrance is an American soccer coach renowned for building the University of North Carolina women's soccer program into a national dynasty. As the head coach since its inception in 1979, he has led the North Carolina Tar Heels to a record 22 NCAA national championships. Dorrance also coached the United States women's national soccer team to its first FIFA Women's World Cup title in 1991, profoundly shaping the landscape of women's soccer in the United States and globally.

Early life and education

Anson Dorrance was born on April 9, 1951, in Bombay, India, where his father worked for IBM. His family later moved to Nairobi, Kenya, and eventually settled in Zürich, Switzerland, before returning to the United States. He attended St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin, where he began playing soccer. Dorrance enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1974. As a student, he played for the Tar Heels men's soccer team, earning the Hermann Trophy in 1973 as the nation's top collegiate player.

Playing career

Dorrance's collegiate playing career at North Carolina was distinguished, primarily as a midfielder and forward. His performance during the 1973 season, where he scored 17 goals and recorded 10 assists, led to his receiving the prestigious Hermann Trophy. He was also named a first-team All-American and helped lead the ACC in scoring. Although drafted by the Dallas Tornado of the North American Soccer League, his professional playing career was brief, and he soon transitioned into coaching.

Coaching career

Dorrance began his coaching career as an assistant for the UNC men's team in 1976. In 1979, he founded the UNC women's soccer program, becoming its first head coach. Under his leadership, the North Carolina Tar Heels have dominated collegiate soccer, winning national titles across four different decades. Concurrently, from 1986 to 1994, he served as head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, guiding the squad to victory in the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in China. His coaching philosophy, emphasizing competitiveness and a relentless attacking style, has produced numerous U.S. national team stars like Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Tobin Heath.

Personal life

Dorrance is married to M’Liss Gary Dorrance, and they have three children. He is known for his deep commitment to his family and his Christian faith. An avid reader and student of leadership, he has co-authored books on coaching and team culture. He remains a prominent figure in Chapel Hill, actively involved in community and charitable activities, often supporting local youth soccer initiatives.

Honors and legacy

Anson Dorrance's honors are extensive, reflecting his monumental impact on soccer. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008 and the United States Soccer Federation Hall of Fame in 2005. He has received multiple National Coach of the Year awards from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. His legacy is defined by the "Carolina Dynasty" in women's college soccer and his pivotal role in establishing the U.S. women's national team as a global power. The Anson Dorrance Field at UNC Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium is named in his honor, cementing his status as a transformative figure in the sport's history. Category:American soccer coaches Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Category:1951 births