Dorrance, who has led North Carolina to 19 national championships, avoided the prospect of a jury trial in Federal court this spring when UNC agreed to pay Jennings $385,000 (mostly in attorney's fees). Dorrance also issued an apology letter, and school agreed to review is its sexual harassment policies and procedures.
The case centered around discussions of a sexual nature Dorrance had with a group of his players. His position and that of UNC was that they were merely banter of a "jesting or teasing nature," but the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that Dorrance's conduct "went far beyond simple teasing and qualified as sexual harassment."
Legal experts have considered the opinion to be an important one in the field of sexual harassment.
Jennings' position was that Dorrance created an environment that violated Title IX law by denying her the benefits of collegiate sports. Another former player, U.S. international Debbie Keller, also filed suit but settled with the university for a reported $70,000 in 2004.
"I understand that my participation in those discussions was inappropriate and unacceptable," Dorrance's apology letter said. "I apologize to Ms. Jennings and her family, as well as all other members of the soccer team."
In the agreement, Jennings stipulated that no pass was made at her, but the sexual discussions were uninvited and offensive.
"As a result, I personally felt extremely uncomfortable," she said in her letter.
UNC officials stressed the apology was not an admission of guilt and that they were confident in the outcome of the trial.
In a statement Monday, Dorrance said: "Since August 1998, I have looked forward to clearing my name in court. That is still true today. I understand, though, that after nine years of litigation, it is best for the University, our soccer program and all of us involved in this case for it to end here."
Dan Konicek, Jennings' lawyer, told the Daily Tar Heel that his client was very happy.
"The way the case had progressed for the nine years was a complete denial of the facts," Konicek said.
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