Munster Joins Bears Swimming Staff
June 08, 2026 | Swimming and Diving
SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State University swimming and diving head coach Dave Collins announced today the addition of Ben Munster to his program's staff.
Munster will serve as an assistant coach for the Bears with an expected start date of June 22. He joins Collins, associate head coach Chelsea Dirks-Ham, and fellow new assistant Ryan Lochte on the Mo State aquatics staff after spending the past year as an assistant coach at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.
"We are very excited to be adding Ben to the coaching staff," said Collins. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and will really help balance all that we can provide for our student-athletes. Ben has been a part of successful programs at many levels, and I am confident our group will benefit from his vast experience. There has never been a more exciting time to be on the pool deck at Missouri State!"
While at St. Ambrose, Munster's men's team finished eighth and the women's program finished 13th at the 2026 NAIA National Championship on the heels of dual conference championships.
Prior to that, he helped guide Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill., to back-to-back girls sectional championships and a top-10 finish at the 2024 IHSA State Championship meet. During his two-year stint at Fenwick (2023-25), he helped mentor All-America performances in both the 200-medley and 400-freestyle relays.
"I am excited to join the coaching staff at Missouri State and am incredibly grateful to coaches Dave Collins and Chelsea Dirks-Ham for this opportunity," said Munster. "I am eager to build upon the tradition of academic and athletic excellence. The future is very bright here, and I look forward to putting in the work alongside the athletes, coaches, and athletic department leadership to earn the next level of success."
"I also want to thank coach Rob (Ski) Miecznikowski and Athletic Director Mike Holmes at St. Ambrose for their incredible support and the opportunity to be part of that great program."
Munster has accumulated nearly 10 years of experience working with USA Swimming Clubs and has volunteered or worked swim camps for Texas A&M, Georgia and Arizona, in addition to competing at Virginia Tech from 2009-13. He also served as a volunteer assistant at Virginia Tech in 2013-14.
His hire is contingent upon formal approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.
Munster will serve as an assistant coach for the Bears with an expected start date of June 22. He joins Collins, associate head coach Chelsea Dirks-Ham, and fellow new assistant Ryan Lochte on the Mo State aquatics staff after spending the past year as an assistant coach at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.
"We are very excited to be adding Ben to the coaching staff," said Collins. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and will really help balance all that we can provide for our student-athletes. Ben has been a part of successful programs at many levels, and I am confident our group will benefit from his vast experience. There has never been a more exciting time to be on the pool deck at Missouri State!"
While at St. Ambrose, Munster's men's team finished eighth and the women's program finished 13th at the 2026 NAIA National Championship on the heels of dual conference championships.
Prior to that, he helped guide Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill., to back-to-back girls sectional championships and a top-10 finish at the 2024 IHSA State Championship meet. During his two-year stint at Fenwick (2023-25), he helped mentor All-America performances in both the 200-medley and 400-freestyle relays.
"I am excited to join the coaching staff at Missouri State and am incredibly grateful to coaches Dave Collins and Chelsea Dirks-Ham for this opportunity," said Munster. "I am eager to build upon the tradition of academic and athletic excellence. The future is very bright here, and I look forward to putting in the work alongside the athletes, coaches, and athletic department leadership to earn the next level of success."
"I also want to thank coach Rob (Ski) Miecznikowski and Athletic Director Mike Holmes at St. Ambrose for their incredible support and the opportunity to be part of that great program."
Munster has accumulated nearly 10 years of experience working with USA Swimming Clubs and has volunteered or worked swim camps for Texas A&M, Georgia and Arizona, in addition to competing at Virginia Tech from 2009-13. He also served as a volunteer assistant at Virginia Tech in 2013-14.
His hire is contingent upon formal approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.
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