William Paterson University of New Jersey Men's Soccer

Former Pioneer student-athlete and assistant Matt Heitmann ‘14 was named the William Paterson men’s soccer head coach during the summer of 2022.     Heitmann had already been an 11-year member of the WP coaching staff when he was named the head coach -- eight seasons as an assistant coach (2014-21), two as an undergraduate assistant coach (2011-12), and one as a volunteer assistant coach (2013).     Heitmann (2007-10) was a standout in the Pioneer defensive third, earning selections to the 2010 All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) First Team and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) South Atlantic All-Region Third Team, the 2009 All-NJAC Second Team and the 2008 All-NJAC Honorable Mention. A starter in 17 of 19 matches as a senior, the back had one goal and an assist, including the tying goal for his first career score in a 2-1 win at Kean. The 2008 ECAC Metro Region Tournament Most Outstanding Player, he had a goal and two assists while starting 73 of 77 career matches and helped lead WP to the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.    In addition to coaching the Pioneers, Heitmann has also worked with FC Motown (United Soccer League 2, National Premier Soccer League, U23; 2020-current).     Heitmann has played for New Jersey Blaze (National Premier Soccer League; 2009-11), Motown FC (Garden State Soccer League; 2011-15).     A native of Westwood, N.J., Heitmann was awarded a William Paterson bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2014. He holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “C” License and NSCAA National Diploma.   Heitmann’s WP Coaching Highlights - Four all-NJAC honorees - Seven academic all-district selections - Nine spots on the Academic All-NJAC Team  

David Nehls was appointed as the William Paterson men’s and women’s swimming and diving head coach in August of 2025. Nehls, who was named one of the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Top 50 Age Group Coaches in the U.S. in 2024, comes to WP after spending the previous five years as the head age group coach and operations manager for Phoenix Aquatic Club in Rockland County, N.Y. He coached over 20 athletes to the National Age Group (NAG) Top 20 rankings, including more than 10 Top 10 finishes and a 2024 national runner-up. Under his guidance, the Phoenix Aquatic Club was named one of the ASCA Top 100 Age Group Teams in 2024 and 2025. While with the Phoenix Aquatic Club, he also spent two seasons at Ramapo College as an assistant swim coach for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns. Prior to Ramapo, Nehls served as the head site coach for the Life Time Metro Swim Team from 2019-21. After graduating from Ramapo in 2011 with a bachelor’s in environmental studies, he spent over seven years as an assistant swim coach for the Roadrunners, helping his alma mater post a 38-20 mark. Nehls also gained experience as a head coach at Ramsey High School (2017-20) and with Erskine Lakes Aquatic Club (2016-18).