.
Career Overview
Head Coach, UNC Women’s Soccer (1979–present)
Head Coach, UNC Men’s Soccer (1977–1988)
Head Coach, U.S. Women’s National Team (1986–1994)
UNC Women’s Soccer Achievements
22 NCAA National Championships (most in NCAA soccer history)
Over 900 career wins with UNC Women’s Soccer (most in Division I women’s soccer history)
21 perfect seasons (undefeated and untied)
Over 70 players named First-Team All-Americans
Over 60 players advanced to national teams
Win percentage over 90% across his coaching career
U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT)
First Head Coach of the USWNT
Head Coach from 1986 to 1994
Winner of the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup (1991)
Compiled a 65-22-5 record as national team coach
Coaching Innovations and Contributions
Creator of the Competitive Cauldron, a system that tracks training performance to foster internal team competition
Early pioneer of value-based coaching and mental training
Influenced coaching standards from youth leagues to the professional and international level
Developed systems used by the U.S. Women's National Team and countless college programs
Awards and Honors
National Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee (2008)
Multiple-time NCAA Coach of the Year
United Soccer Coaches Lifetime Achievement recipient
Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine (North Carolina’s highest civilian honor)
Education and Authorship
Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Carolina
Co-author of “Training Soccer Champions”
Regular speaker on leadership, mindset, team culture, and elite performance
Global and Cultural Impact
Helped launch and legitimize women’s collegiate and international soccer
Established a winning culture at UNC that became the model for success in women’s sports
Continues to influence the next generation of coaches and leaders across disciplines
The Champion’s Way
About Anson
The most successful coach in NCAA History. Anson Dorrance is a legendary figure in women’s soccer, renowned for his extraordinary career as head coach of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Women’s Soccer team. Since founding the program in 1979, the Tar Heels have won an unmatched 23 NCAA championships. His coaching centers around values, excellence and the "competitive cauldron.” His methodologies build character that leads to excellence and championships.