Damon Nahas has officially been named head coach of the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team, following a successful 2024 season where he led the Tar Heels to their 23rd national championship. The decision was made after a national search, with UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham informing Nahas of the hire before the NCAA title game. The Board of Trustees approved the appointment shortly after, solidifying Nahas’ position as the program’s second head coach, succeeding legendary coach Anson Dorrance.
Nahas had served as interim head coach throughout the 2024 season, following Dorrance’s retirement in August. Under his leadership, the team posted an impressive 22-5 record, with notable victories including a dominant run through the NCAA tournament to claim the national title. Nahas’ coaching prowess was on full display as he guided the Tar Heels to a 7-3 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and he became the second coach in NCAA women’s soccer history to win a national championship in their first season at the helm. His leadership not only resulted in a championship but also marked several milestones for the program, including its 250th regular-season ACC win and 950th all-time victory.
In addition to the team’s success, Nahas oversaw individual player achievements, with three All-America selections and several players earning All-ACC and All-NCAA Tournament honors. One standout was junior Kate Faasse, who led the nation with 20 goals in 2024, becoming the program’s first first-team All-America selection since 2020. Nahas also mentored defensive standout Clare Gagne, who was named the NCAA Tournament’s Defensive MVP. These individual accolades were a testament to Nahas’ ability to develop players at the highest level, further cementing his readiness to take on the full-time head coaching role.
Nahas’ tenure at UNC has been marked by both success on the field and in player development. Since joining the staff in 2015, he has played a key role in recruiting top-tier talent, helping UNC sign a top-four recruiting class for eight consecutive years. He has also been instrumental in the development of over 30 players who have gone on to professional careers, including a record six players selected in the first round of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League draft. With a deep commitment to continuing the program’s championship legacy, Nahas expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Tar Heels into the future.