Anson Dorrance retires. Immediately.

[UNCGrad]

Actually, Coach K chose the Retirement Tour option, and gave me two of the happiest UNC basketball moments of my lifetime in doing so. I'll never forget Jay Williams begging for a timeout and Caleb Love's fadeaway 3.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

Actually, Coach K chose the Retirement Tour option, and gave me two of the happiest UNC basketball moments of my lifetime in doing so. I'll never forget Jay Williams begging for a timeout and Caleb Love's fadeaway 3.

My living room was filled with howls of glee. G'bye, LEADER OF MEN.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Incredible legacy for the sport, on the field. But back in the early 1990s when I was at the Herald-Sun, there was a lot of whispering about Dorrance's alleged off-field issues. And he took that "unbeaten streak" far too seriously, even calling the paper to bench that losing on penalty kicks should count as a tie.

I don't believe I ever spoke with the man, but those who did said he was certainly ... self-important. And a bit miffed that his teams weren't accorded the same fame as those of Dean Smith, et al.

Jealousy, perhaps, from rivals and players spurned by UNC. But it seemed like there were almost as many athletes turned off by Dorrance's personality as there were who became Dorrance fans for life.

(Fixed for spelling.)

I did speak with the man, but it was not a direct Chapel Hill program matter. He and some young soccer knowledgeable sorts were in town to help run a one-day camp for youths and promote the sport. I won't come within a galaxy of defending him against the numerous allegations that have surrounded him for a long time, but on that day he wisely discussed his purpose for being in my hometown and kept what was believed to be a big ego by many sheathed. Therefore, it was easier for me to keep with the story and why I was there. And other than lending his name and what that program had accomplished, it wasn't to piece together a Dorrance expose.

Anson is certainly a personification of a complicated legacy. The on-pitch success cannot be ignored ... but neither can the other issues, particularly since there was any quelling of them.