 The next season, 1971, was a 9–3 season that was capped with a Gator Bowl loss to Georgia and a #18 ranking in the Coaches' Poll.Dooley became the first Tar Heels coach to win 11 games in a single season in 1972, going 11–1 with a victory over Texas Tech in the Sun Bowl, and rankings of #14 and #12 in the Coaches' and AP Polls.In 1973, Dooley's Tar Heels finished 4–7 with wins over William & Mary, Kentucky and Wake Forest.