Longtime Shore girls basketball coach steps down

TL;DR

Dave Callahan has stepped down as head coach of the Rumson-Fair Haven High School girls basketball team after 10 years. He cited family commitments and the need for fresh energy in the program as reasons for his decision.

Key points

Dave Callahan stepped down after 10 years as head coach
He has been at Rumson for 16 years in total
The team finished 19-11 last season
They won the Kevin Williams Christmas Classic Tournament
Callahan cited family commitments as a reason for his resignation

Mentioned in this story

Dave Callahan

Rumson-Fair Haven High School

Rumson-Fair Haven High School girls basketball head coach Dave Callahan told the Asbury Park Press Friday that he has stepped down after 10 years on the job.

Callahan, who's been at Rumson for 16 years in all, said he had a meeting with his players earlier in the day and broke the news to them.

This past season, the Bulldogs finished 19-11, won the 41st annual Kevin Williams Christmas Classic Tournament and made a Central Group 2 final appearance.

MORE: 2 all-time winningest Shore basketball coaches joining forces for 1st time

"I love what I do, love the school, I love this team," Callahan said. "As I got a little bit older and - family, missing holidays, missing a lot with my grandkids, I just needed to step back and make sure I was able to give the kids 100% and give them everything they deserved. After I really thought about it, prayed about it, I just realized it was time to get a fresh face, get fresh energy back in the program."

Rumson Coach Dave Callahan talks to his team during a time out. Manchester girls basketball vs Rumson-Fair Haven at the 2025 Kevin Williams Christmas Classic in Toms River NJ on December 26, 2025.

Callahan has high hopes with next season for the Bulldogs and believes they're going to "have a great year" and make a "great challenge for Group 2 next year." In his 10 years with the girls he brought the team to five sectional championship games and had a 177-98 overall record.

"Too many to mention" is what Callahan said when asked of his favorite memories and favorite accomplishment.

"I've had so many great kids and great players," the Connecticut native and Villanova grad said, "I haven't really taken the time to reflect on that. We've won so many huge games and been in so many great environments but what I'm going to miss most is the relationships. The first group of kids, I started on the boys side and the boys I started coaching are in their early 30s now, they're getting married, having kids, so I will always have those relationships but I'm sure when the season starts I'm going to miss that energy of a big game and not being around on an everyday basis."

Q&A

Why did Dave Callahan resign as the girls basketball coach?

Dave Callahan resigned to focus on family commitments and to allow for fresh energy in the program.

How long did Dave Callahan coach the Rumson-Fair Haven girls basketball team?

Dave Callahan coached the Rumson-Fair Haven girls basketball team for 10 years.

What were the team's accomplishments during Callahan's last season?

In his last season, the Bulldogs finished 19-11, won the Kevin Williams Christmas Classic Tournament, and reached the Central Group 2 final.

Who will replace Dave Callahan as the head coach?

The article does not specify who will replace Dave Callahan as the head coach.