UNC's Dorrance clarifies expansion remarks; 'utmost respect' for Stanford, Cal
Posted August 23, 2023 12:21 p.m. EDT
Updated August 23, 2023 8:04 p.m. EDT
North Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance issued a statement Wednesday to "clarify" remarks he made to WRAL about potential ACC expansion candidates Stanford and Cal.
In his original comments, Dorrance said he wanted to see the Pac-12 schools, whose conference mates have scattered in the most recent round of realignment, "die on the vine." Dorrance praised the schools academics and athletic programs, but said he didn't want the ACC to add them for recruiting and competitive reasons.
In his statement Wednesday, Dorrance again said he did not favor conference expansion.
"I have the utmost respect for Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. They are outstanding institutions with dedicated leaders, committed students and world-class soccer programs and coaches," Dorrance said. "I don’t think conference expansion is in the best interest of Carolina and the ACC at this time, and I trust and respect the decisions that Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham and ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips are making on behalf of Carolina and the ACC.”
Stanford and Cal are among four Pac-12 schools that have not announced they are departing the conference at the end of the academic year. Stanford is perennially the nation's top all-around athletic program. But neither school is a football power or ratings darling.
ACC presidents are reportedly considering adding the schools as well as SMU in Texas. UNC, along with NC State, Florida State and Clemson, are reportedly against expansion, which requires the support of 12 of the ACC's 15 schools, including Notre Dame.
Without an invite to the ACC, the schools could end up in the American Athletic or Mountain West. Stanford, perhaps, could become a football independent.
Dorrance, former U.S. Women's National Team coach, has guided the women's soccer team to 21 national titles. The Tar Heels, national finalists in three of the last five seasons, are ranked No. 3 in the nation this season.
