Dalton State’s Saif Alsafeer has resigned from his position as Director of Soccer, effective March 31, 2025. Alsafeer, who has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the Roadrunner’s soccer program, is stepping down to pursue a new professional opportunity at the NCAA Division I level. His future plans will be announced at a later date.
“Dalton has been a true place to call home for my family and me since early 2019,” Alsafeer said. “When I joined Dalton State, I was able to connect with some incredible people in the Dalton community who believed in our vision for men’s and women’s soccer. All the wonderful people connected to this program, including staff, student-athletes, community partners, and leaders, all played a great role in fostering the type of success we’ve seen on and off the field. Ultimately, we have used the platform of soccer to change the lives of many who have come through the program at Dalton State.”
A three-time SSAC Coach of the Year and the 2024 NAIA Coach of the Year, Alsafeer led the Roadrunners to the 2024 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship in his sixth season at the helm. He departs Dalton State as the program’s all-time leader in coaching victories, amassing 90 wins with the men’s team and 33 with the women’s team.
“I want to thank Dr. Venable, Dr. Fuchko and Jon Jaudon for allowing me to execute our vision for soccer at Dalton State,” Alsafeer said. “A very special thank you to the community supporters who were integral in building a program we all could be proud of. An ultimate thank you to my family, staff, and our student-athletes who worked tirelessly to build memories that we will all cherish for a lifetime to come. I am excited to see what comes next for Dalton State Soccer!”
Alsafeer joined Dalton State on Feb. 6, 2019, with a vision to elevate the soccer program, and the teams have made significant strides on and off the field under his leadership. His dedication to player development, recruitment and fostering a strong team culture has left a lasting impact on the program.
“Working alongside Saif has been a privilege,” Jon Jaudon, executive director of athletics, said. “His vision for Dalton State soccer was clear from the time of his hire. He accomplished much of what he envisioned when he accepted this position. Our culture is our strength, and Saif embodies what it means to be a Roadrunner. We wish Saif, Sarah, and the family all the best as they begin a new chapter of their lives.”
Throughout his tenure, Alsafeer developed a program rich in both athletic and academic excellence. Under his leadership, Dalton State produced seven SSAC Players of the Year, five conference Golden Glove winners, and three Golden Boot recipients. His teams also earned national recognition, with 19 players achieving All-American honors, 60 named Daktronics Scholar-Athletes, 53 earning All-SSAC selections, and 116 recognized as conference All-Academic student-athletes. Nine of his former athletes are currently playing on the professional level.
A national search for head coaches to lead the men’s and women’s soccer programs will begin immediately. In the interim, assistant coach Tom Bentham will oversee the program to ensure a smooth transition.
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