ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- Ian Disteldorf didn't always know coaching was in his future. But looking back, the signs were always there.
The new head coach for Lewis University's men's and women's swimming programs didn't discover his passion for the sport overnight. In fact, he says it wasn't until his final years as a collegiate swimmer at Augustana College that he truly fell in love with the sport—and realized he wasn't ready to leave it behind.
"I thought to myself, I have a lot more to give to the sport than just one more year," Disteldorf said. "I was a captain my senior year, and I really enjoyed helping the younger swimmers grow. That was the first time I thought, 'What if I did this as a profession?'"
It's a question that launched a coaching career now entering its seventh season, spanning experiences across NCAA Division I and III programs and a master's degree in sports science along the way. Now, Disteldorf finds himself in a new role that feels a lot like coming home.
A native of Oak Forest, Illinois, Disteldorf grew up just 40 minutes from Lewis. Though he had never stepped foot on campus until his interview, he said the school's culture, staff, and student-athletes immediately made an impression.
"Everyone I met was welcoming and passionate about what they do," Disteldorf said. "There are a lot of people at Lewis who have been here a long time. It really felt like everyone is on the same team, working to support student-athletes both in the classroom and in their sport."
Disteldorf arrives after a two-year stint as an assistant at the University at Buffalo, where he helped lead the Bulls to a pair of top-four finishes in the Mid-American Conference. Under his guidance, Buffalo athletes broke school records, hit national qualifying marks, and earned All-MAC honors. He also played a key role in recruiting, dryland training, and academic support.
Before that, he served as the assistant coach and strength coordinator at Wabash College in Indiana, where he doubled as a department-wide strength coach—an experience that gave him insight across sports. At every stop, he's added tools to his coaching toolkit, learning from each coach, teammate, and athlete he's worked with.
Now, his focus is on Lewis: establishing trust, setting a tone, and building a culture where student-athletes want to show up every day—not just to improve, but to enjoy the process.
"My early goals are to foster a positive team environment, deliver effective communication, and of course, swim fast," Disteldorf said with a laugh.
But make no mistake, the "swim fast" part isn't just coach-speak. Disteldorf is inheriting a program with momentum, one that's already posted impressive results in recent years.
His job now? Build on that foundation and elevate it even further.
He believes that starts with preparation, especially in the weight room—a space that's become a hallmark of his coaching style.
"I'm a big believer in using the weight room to transition strength into the pool," Disteldorf said. "If we can simulate movements, improve technique on land, and understand how muscle engagement translates to faster turns and starts, it all connects. But it starts with teaching the 'why.' If athletes understand how it's going to help them, they're more likely to buy in."
That intentional, relationship-driven coaching style defines his recruiting philosophy too. It's not just about times on a stopwatch—he looks for student-athletes who want to communicate, support one another, and push themselves every day.
"If you want to find out how fast you can be in college swimming, get a great education, and be part of a team you enjoy being around—Lewis can be a great place for you," Disteldorf said.
And he's already seeing that energy on campus. His early meetings with returning swimmers showed him a team just as eager to get started as he is.
"They're really excited to start fresh and see what we can accomplish," he said. "That's what I love to see: a group that wants to come to practice every day, compete together, and have fun doing it."
As Disteldorf settles into his role, he's also reconnecting with the place that shaped his early years. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and occasional golfer in his downtime, he's looking forward to being back near family and familiar streets. But his eyes are firmly set on the future.
"This is a winning culture here," he said. "There's success all around the athletic department, and I want to be part of that. I want our swimmers to achieve goals they didn't even think were possible."
With his blend of energy, expertise, and roots in the region, Ian Disteldorf is ready to lead Flyer Swimming into its next chapter—one practice, one race, and one connection at a time.
