Olympic legend Ryan Lochte has announced a surprise move into the world of collegiate athletics, joining Missouri State as an assistant swimming coach. The 41-year-old, who remains one of the most decorated Olympic athletes in history, will work under head coach Dave Collins later this summer, marking his first major professional step since a turbulent period in his personal life last year.
'Swimming gave me structure, purpose and a platform to grow not just as an athlete but as a person,' Lochte said in a statement. 'To now step into a coaching role and pour that experience back into student-athletes is something I take seriously.'
'It's about more than times and results. It's about helping young men and women build discipline, resilience and confidence that will carry them far beyond the pool. I've lived the highs and the challenges of this sport, and I want to use that perspective to guide them, support them and help them reach their full potential in and out of the water.'
The appointment comes just months after a furious split from his wife of several years, which preceded a brief stint in a rehabilitation facility. The former Olympian was married to former Playboy Playmate Kayla Rae Reid, with whom he shares three children, for seven years until she filed for divorce in March 2025.
The swimmer has since moved on with new girlfriend Molly Gillihan, whom Reid recently accused Lochte of cheating with before their separation. Reid and Lochte share three children: Caiden, eight, Liv, six, and Georgia, two. The couple's split was officially announced in June 2025, three months after the initial filing.
At the time, Reid wrote in a lengthy Instagram post that she made the 'hard decision to end my marriage after deep prayer and reflection' following a season she described as 'painful' and 'challenging.' While she hinted at 'betrayal' in that initial announcement, Lochte was spotted with Gillihan shortly after, though he has adamantly denied any overlap between the two relationships.
Earlier this year, the swimmer confirmed he had moved into a new home with Gillihan, a 37-year-old kindergarten teacher, and her three children. 'I fell in love with someone who shares those same values and who has three children of her own,' Lochte told People in January, describing their new life as a 'family of six kids.' 'She's my best friend, our kids have formed an incredible bond, and it became clear that being together under one roof was the right next step for all of us,' he added.
Lochte's brilliant swimming career was not without controversy. In 2016, he claimed to be among four American swimmers who were robbed by armed men in Rio de Janeiro while competing at the Summer Olympics. Later, it emerged that the armed men were actually guards at a gas station where Lochte allegedly vandalized a poster, resulting in an apology from him and a 10-month suspension from USA Swimming and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Two years later, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspended Lochte for 14 months for receiving a 'prohibited intravenous infusion' of what he claimed to be vitamins. Lochte had posted a picture of the injection on social media before deleting it.
Missouri State has long been one of the nation's best mid-major swimming programs. Its men have won 21 conference championships and its women have won 18 of them, and Collins has been voted the conference's top coach on 13 occasions. 'We are very excited to welcome Ryan to the coaching staff,' he said. 'Beyond his lengthy list of accomplishments as an athlete, Ryan has a work ethic that will translate very well on deck as a coach. When you have the opportunity to bring in one of the best ever in our sport, you do everything you can to make it happen.'
