The Carolina Athletics community and Tar Heels across the world received shocking news on Sunday — as longtime UNC women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance announced his retirement after 47 seasons in charge of the program.
While many knew the day would come at some point for Dorrance to step away, some were shocked as he announced the decision to step away from the program as Carolina is days away from starting its fall seasons. But — like his coaching style and dominance in the sport — Dorrance did things his own way, saying he “didn’t have the same energy it takes to give 100 percent to this year’s team.”
With the news, reactions from those around Carolina Athletics, alumnae from the women’s soccer program, and Tar Heel fans began pouring in Sunday afternoon, with people thanking Dorrance for shaping the program and crediting his success to pushing UNC’s sports to greater heights. The 73-year-old leaves with 22 national collegiate titles and more than 1,100 collegiate wins to his name.
Here are some of the highlights from posts shared on social media Sunday from the Carolina Athletics community, and others, about the legendary head coach and news of his retirement:
Featured photo via Carolina Athletics/Dan Sears.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
Tar Heel Fans React to Michael Malone's UNC Introduction on Social MediaTuesday's formal hiring and introduction of Michael Malone to lead the UNC men's basketball program led to scores of UNC fans took to social media to share their celebration and reactions.
UNC Women's Lacrosse Coach, Former Soccer Star Welcomed Into Order of the Long Leaf PineThe governor inducted six people to the state's Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Friday, including two accomplished UNC sports figures.
UNC and Football Communities Share Tributes in Tylee Craft's Memory After His DeathHundreds of UNC and football community members shared posts on social media honoring Tylee Craft after his death was announced on Saturday.
Multiple UNC Teams Post Perfect Academic Progress Rates, New Report SaysSeveral UNC sports programs posted perfect single-year and multi-year academic progress rates for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the NCAA’s latest report. Academic progress rate (APR) is used to track performance of scholarship students who compete on varsity teams, and the score measures eligibility and retention each semester. A perfect score is 1000, and […]
UNC Women's Soccer to Play Exhibition Match August 28 in IrelandMore than one UNC football team will be making the journey to Ireland this August. The UNC women’s soccer team will play an exhibition match against Shelbourne FC Friday, August 28 in Dublin, the day before the Tar Heel football team faces TCU in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Luck of the Heels […]
Social Media Reactions Split to Reports of UNC Hiring Michael Malone as New Men's Basketball CoachTar Heel fans and the sports world at large took to social media on Monday to share their reactions to reports of UNC men's basketball hiring Michael Malone.
Holding Court: UNC Facing Tricky Timetable With Ongoing Coaching SearchAs the search for UNC men's basketball's next head coach stretches into April, David Glenn shares some key dates this month to keep in mind.
Holding Court: Five Things To Know About Carolina's Coaching ChangeDavid Glenn shares five critical things to know about the end to Hubert Davis’ head coaching tenure at UNC and the search for his successor.
Art's Angle: Three-Ring CircusHubert Davis' UNC future has never been more uncertain. The same can be said for many other aspects around Carolina Athletics.
Social Media Reacts to UNC Men's Basketball's Season-Ending Collapse to VCUFollowing UNC men's basketball's loss, many media members and Tar Heel fans took to social media to react to Carolina's collapse.
›
