LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State University men’s water Polo has added former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) head coach Austin Ringheim to the coaching staff as an assistant coach.
A two-time Division III Eastern Coach of the Year, Ringheim took MIT to four USA Water Polo Division III National Championship appearances in four chances, starting with his first season in 2019 where the Engineers finished in third place.
On two other occasions MIT finished in third place at the Division III National Championships, including in 2023, his last year with the program, where he won 14 games. Ringheim got his coaching career started at Austin College, where he was the assistant head water polo coach for both men’s and women’s water polo, helping to build the only NCAA collegiate varsity water polo program in Texas over the last 40 years.
“Austin has acquired a vast amount of proper coaching experience in a short amount of time which showcases his dedication,” said Long Beach State men’s water polo head coach Gavin Arroyo. “His involvement with USA Water Polo, Olympic Development programs and head coaching experience at MIT brings a well-honed skillset that will really benefit our program. He is also a local product, someone who understands the tradition and legacy of water polo in the Long Beach community.”
The Long Beach State hire marks a return to Southern California for Ringheim who played with Golden West College and Whittier College before getting his coaching start with Los Alamitos High School.
“I want to thank Gavin Arroyo, Bobby Smitheran and the rest of the Long Beach State Athletic Department for the opportunity to be a part of this tremendous men’s water polo program,” said Ringheim. “I’m excited to get started and continue the competitive tradition that’s been established here while continuing to help cultivate a great student-athlete experience.”
Release courtesy Long Beach State University Athletics Communications
