With around four months to go until Haldane’s fall 2026 soccer season, the Varsity Boys Soccer Team is bidding farewell to their coach of 12 years.

Coach Ahmed Dwidar has held a meaningful role in the school’s soccer program from 2009 to 2015 and 2020 to 2026, and his departure will mark the end of a significant era for the team. The question is: How much will his parting change the program?

Dwidar began his career with Haldane as the junior varsity coach until he was promoted by the athletic director in 2009 to work as the varsity coach, which he pursued until 2015. Between 2015 and 2020, Ahmed led Walter Panas High School’s soccer team and worked as an assistant for Dutchess Community College’s team. He returned to his position at Haldane in 2020, where he continued to work for another six years. This period of time included the team’s historic state-winning season in 2022.

Dwidar said that he loved his time as coach, but as his two children are getting older, he believes that he should spend more time with his family. He said his choice was “one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made.” He believes that this will only be a temporary break from soccer, and he affirmed that he absolutely hopes to coach again.

The role of varsity head coach will now be taken over by Haldane alum and prior assistant coach Ramsey Heitmann. Heitmann has been involved in coaching the program since 2021 and already has a connection with the whole team. Heitmann described the change as “bittersweet” because Dwidar was his coach before he graduated in 2015, but he said that he was still excited, and he believes that as the team moves up to Class B, it may be time for a change.

Even prior to the coaching switch, Ramsey was frequently the one leading the training. Many of the varsity players from the 2025 season felt that while Dwidar was good at talking and making players feel welcomed, he was less confident in leading the team in drills.

Another significant change for the program will be coach and Haldane alum Dan Rotando’s conversion from the role of head JV coach to assistant varsity coach. While Rotando described Dwidar as an excellent mentor and friend who has provided so much support during his time in the program, he is also thrilled to join the varsity coaching staff. He said he hoped that during practices he and Heitmann would be able to “divide and conquer,” helping players receive more individualized coaching based on their positions.

Rotando’s departure from the JV team will require a new coach to be hired. Volunteer assistant coach Carl Bon Tempo will maintain his position on the team, but next year’s head coach has yet to be selected. Current JV player, freshman Teo Bon Tempo, said, “I hope our next JV coach will be as good as Dan was.”