12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte is still one of the biggest names in swimming. He is joining the coaching staff at Missouri State.
Why? That is the question to which we all would like the real answer.
Lochte claims he wants to give back to the sport of swimming, which may be true. It is hard not to assume that his underlying financial challenges did not also play a role in his return to the pool.
Ryan Lochte will coach the swim team at Missouri State.
There are only a few names in the history of United States swimming that can be considered “household names.” Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz are perhaps the biggest. Caeleb Dressel and Natalie Coughlin might be in the mix. And then there is Lochte.
The American star is the third-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history behind only Phelps and Ledecky by total number of medals. His seven individual Olympic medals rank second in men’s swimming history behind only Phelps. He still holds the world records in the 4×200-meter freestyle.
You get the idea. Ryan Lochte was and is a big deal, both in and out of the pool. Not only did he win, he married a Playboy model, competed on Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Family Feud and Celebrity Big Brother, trademarked his own person catchphrase — “JEAH!” — and even had his own reality show.
Lochte also got in a lot of trouble at the Olympics in Rio for what was called “Lochtegate.” To summarize, the Olympic swimmer falsely claimed that he and his teammates were robbed at gunpoint after a night out. Brazilian authorities later found his story to be fabricated. They said that Lochte actually vandalized a gas station bathroom, which was later proved untrue by USA Today. It was a whole thing.
Regardless of what actually happened, lost all of his major sponsors and was suspended from swimming because of the incident. He was suspended, again, by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency just two years later for receiving an intravenous vitamin B-12 infusion. It was a rough fall from grace.
Now, 10 years later, Ryan Lochte is joining the coaching staff at Missouri State University. The 41-year-old will serve as an ‘Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach’ with the Bears.
“What stood out to me about Missouri State is the culture. There’s a strong sense of purpose, accountability, and team-first mentality. You can tell this is a program that’s building something meaningful and sustainable. Dave (Collins) and Chelsea (Dirks-Ham) have created an environment that emphasizes development, not just performance, and that really resonates with me. Their vision for the program aligns with how I see the sport — developing complete athletes and great people. Being able to learn from them while also bringing my own experience to the table made this opportunity feel like the right fit.”
— Ryan Lochte
He is excited to help the next generation learn from his expertise, as well as his mistakes.
“This opportunity (at Missouri State) means everything to me. Swimming gave me structure, purpose, and a platform to grow not just as an athlete, but as a person. To now step into a coaching role and pour that experience back into student-athletes is something I take seriously. At this level, 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 both in and out of the water.”
— Ryan Lochte
This new opportunity is two-fold.
“From a personal standpoint, this is a new chapter that I’m truly excited about. Swimming has given me so much, and this is my chance to give back in a meaningful way. I’m coming into this role with humility, hunger, and a genuine passion to make an impact. I want to be someone these athletes can trust — not just as a coach, but as a mentor who understands what they’re going through. This opportunity isn’t something I take lightly. It’s about building relationships, contributing to a winning culture, and helping shape the next generation — not just as swimmers, but as people.”
— Ryan Lochte
I am sure what Lochte said is true. But two things can be true at once!
How much will he get paid?
This newest hire at Missouri State was a bit of a surprise. As far as I can tell, Ryan Lochte does not have any direct ties to the university or the state. He was born in New York, raised in Florida and lives in Florida. He did not swim under head coach Dave Collins during his career.
And it’s not like the Bears are a top-25 team. It seems super random.
However, Lochte is dating Molly Gillihan. She is a Kindergarten teacher from Missouri so there is a connection to the area. They started dating after Lochte’s public split from his nex-wife. They moved in together in January.
Lochte claims his decision to join the staff at Missouri State is a chance to get his feet wet in coaching.
His bank account might say otherwise. Lochte and Kayla Reid were in pretty significant debt prior to their breakup. They were sued for foreclosure of their $600,000 home amid their bitter divorce. This was after he went from making “well over $1 million” per year to just $75,000 from a single sponsor after the whole Lochtegate scandal and anti-doping suspension. He said in 2019 that he had about $20,000 in savings.
It sounds like Ryan Lochte might need the money. Coaching is a way to get paid.
According to the terms of his one-season contract, which runs from Aug. 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, Lochte will make ~$34.10 an hour at an annual salary of “apprx $30,000.” He can also earn incentives:
- $750 for a conference championshp or co-conference team championship.
- $500 per individual who qualifies for the NCAA championships.
- $500 for any relay team that qualifies for the NCAA championships.
It’s not a ton of money compared to his glory days, but it’s right on par with the standard assistant salary. Missouri State will provide him with an income in a time where he might need one.