Princeton University Athletics
Dusty Litvak Resigns As Head Men's Water Polo Coach; Derek Ellingson To Serve As Interim Head Coach
August 27, 2026 | Men's Water Polo
A coaching change within the Princeton men's water polo program have been announced by Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack '00.
Dusty Litvak has announced his resignation as head coach of the men's water polo team at Princeton effective immediately to take the head coaching position with Loyola Marymount's women's water polo program.
Derek Ellingson, currently the head coach of the women's water polo team at Princeton, will serve as interim head coach for the men's team during the upcoming 2026 season. Huw Helman will continue as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's programs.
A national search will be held for the next head coach of men's water polo at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Over his seven seasons at Princeton, Litvak compiled a 162-65 (.714) overall record and went 58-12 (.826) in NWPC play. His teams won six NWPC championships and qualified for six NCAA Tournaments advancing as far as the national semifinals in 2023.
"Princeton is thankful for Dusty's eight years at Princeton working alongside our men's and women's water polo student-athletes and we wish he and his family well," said Mack. "I am grateful for Derek Ellingson who Is more than ready to step in and lead our men's team as they strive to win their 11th conference championship and earn a 12th overall trip to the national tournament. Derek has been part of the Princeton Water Polo community for over 20 years as a coach with both our men's and women's teams. He is a proven winner in the pool and I am confident that he and Huw Helman will provide the leadership and coaching the men's team deserves this coming season."
Ellingson has been part of Princeton's coaching staff since 2004, serving in multiple coaching roles including as head coach of the women's team since 2019. As head coach with Princeton's women's team, he has compiled a 148-46 (.763) overall record and is 48-8 (.857) in CWPA play. His teams have won two CWPA championships while he has served as head coach (2023, 2024) and have played in two NCAA Tournaments with a trip to the national semifinals in 2023.
Overall since his arrival on campus in 2004, Ellingson has been an assistant or head coach for 11 CWPA Division championships and 14 CWPA Conference championships while guiding teams to 14 NCAA Tournaments.
Dusty Litvak has announced his resignation as head coach of the men's water polo team at Princeton effective immediately to take the head coaching position with Loyola Marymount's women's water polo program.
Derek Ellingson, currently the head coach of the women's water polo team at Princeton, will serve as interim head coach for the men's team during the upcoming 2026 season. Huw Helman will continue as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's programs.
A national search will be held for the next head coach of men's water polo at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Over his seven seasons at Princeton, Litvak compiled a 162-65 (.714) overall record and went 58-12 (.826) in NWPC play. His teams won six NWPC championships and qualified for six NCAA Tournaments advancing as far as the national semifinals in 2023.
"Princeton is thankful for Dusty's eight years at Princeton working alongside our men's and women's water polo student-athletes and we wish he and his family well," said Mack. "I am grateful for Derek Ellingson who Is more than ready to step in and lead our men's team as they strive to win their 11th conference championship and earn a 12th overall trip to the national tournament. Derek has been part of the Princeton Water Polo community for over 20 years as a coach with both our men's and women's teams. He is a proven winner in the pool and I am confident that he and Huw Helman will provide the leadership and coaching the men's team deserves this coming season."
Ellingson has been part of Princeton's coaching staff since 2004, serving in multiple coaching roles including as head coach of the women's team since 2019. As head coach with Princeton's women's team, he has compiled a 148-46 (.763) overall record and is 48-8 (.857) in CWPA play. His teams have won two CWPA championships while he has served as head coach (2023, 2024) and have played in two NCAA Tournaments with a trip to the national semifinals in 2023.
Overall since his arrival on campus in 2004, Ellingson has been an assistant or head coach for 11 CWPA Division championships and 14 CWPA Conference championships while guiding teams to 14 NCAA Tournaments.
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