In 1999, the Tar Heels had the audacity to finish third behind both Clemson and Florida State. On the national level Carolina finished 10th in 1991, sixth in 1994 and a program best fifth in 1996. Of course the key to the kind of success Carolina has enjoyed is great coaching and great recruiting. Teams simply can't thrive like Carolina has without those elements. And the two factors are intertwined.
Great coaches are necessary to recruit well.
And great talent makes coaches great. Craddock has been named the ACC coach of the year during the outdoor season 10 times and he has won the indoor women's coach of the year nine times including this year. Track and field is just another sport at Carolina which helps elevate the Tar Heels' women's sports program to another level. Carolina's amazing run of success in soccer, field hockey, swimming and diving, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field consistently mean that the women's sports at UNC are going to go a long way in making sure the Tar Heels are near the top of the Sears Directors' Cup standings every year. Things are likely to get better for track and field at Carolina as well.