KANSAS CITY, Mo. (theACC.com) – After winning the program’s 23rd national championship, the North Carolina Women’s Soccer Coaching Staff was named the recipient of the 2024 National Division I Coach and Staff of the Year award, announced Friday by the United Soccer Coaches.
 
Led by Interim Head Coach Damon Nahas, the Tar Heels claimed the program’s first national title since 2012 with a 22-5 record. He is the second coach in NCAA women's soccer history to win a national championship in their first year as head coach, joining UCLA's Margueritte Aozasa in 2022.
 
Following the national championship run, Nahas had his interim tag removed. Nahas is set to become just the second head coach in program history after Anson Dorrance announced his retirement on August 11.
 
Joining Nahas on the sidelines were assistant coaches Chris Ducar and Tracey Bates Leone.
 
This is the second straight year an ACC coaching staff has won the award after Florida State’s staff, led by Brian Pensky, earned the honor in 2023.
 
The UNC staff will be honored at the United Soccer Coaches Awards Ceremony on Jan. 10, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Chicago, Illinois in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention. Each Regional Staff of the Year appeared on the ballot for National Staff of the Year, along with the addition of staffs from all schools that reached the semifinals of their respective championship.