Olympic legend Ryan Lochte left fans stunned after showing off his ‘unrecognizable’ new look when announcing his shock career change on Monday afternoon.
At the start of the week, it was confirmed that Lochte had made a 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.’
Along with a statement provided to the school, the six-time Olympic gold medalist also shared a video on his Instagram about his decision. However, it seemed as though fans were more concerned with his appearance than the news itself.
Screenshots from the video went viral almost immediately on social media, with fans left stunned by the former swimmer’s new look.
Olympic legend Ryan Lochte stunned fans with his ‘unrecognizable’ new look on Monday
The six-time Olympic gold medalist shared a video on his Instagram about his decision to move into the world of collegiate athletics, joining Missouri State as an assistant swimming coach
Taking to X, one fan wrote: ‘Whoa. I would never recognize him’.
‘Uhhh wtf? I would not know who that is without the caption,’ another fan wrote.
Meanwhile, some even jokingly suggested that the six-time Olympic gold medalist bore a striking resemblance to FBI Director Kash Patel.
‘Why does Ryan Lochte look like Kash Patel now,’ one user asked on social media.
Another jokingly labelled Lochte as ‘Splash Patel’ as they reacted to the pictures.
In the video that he posted on his Instagram, he told his followers: ‘Plot twist! Ryan Lochte is officially becoming Coach Lochte.
‘After spending half my life staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool, I figured it was time to help the next generation do the same thing. Swimming gave me an incredible career and memories that I will cherish forever.
‘But over the last couple of years, something so unexpected happened. I might actually be more passionate about coaching than competing.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I had a pretty good swimming career. But honestly, I think I might be a better swim coach. I traded in my goggles for a stopwatch!’
The appointment comes just months after a furious split from his wife of several years, which preceded a brief stint in a rehabilitation facility.
Lochte told his followers on Monday afternoon: ‘Don’t get me wrong, I had a pretty good swimming career. But honestly, I think I might be a better swim coach!’
Some jokingly suggested that Lochte bore a striking resemblance to FBI Director Kash Patel
The 41-year-old, 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, who Reid recently accused Lochte of cheating on her 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 cozying up to 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.
It marks his first major professional step since a turbulent period in his personal life last year
In March 2025, ex-wife Kayla filed for divorce alleging Lochte did drugs in front of their kids
Lochte’s new girlfriend fired back at the former Olympian’s ex-wife on social media
Lochte’s, meanwhile, 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.
