12-time Olympic medalist and current World Record holder Ryan Lochte will join the Missouri State coaching staff for the upcoming 2026-2027 season as an assistant coach, the school announced.
“What stood out to me about Missouri State is the culture,” Lochte explained. “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.”
“From a personal standpoint, this is a new chapter that I’m truly excited about,” Lochte continued. “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.”
This will mark Lochte’s coaching debut after a decorated swimming career. Lochte last competed at the 2021 US Olympic Trials-Wave II. He was 7th in the 200 IM, an event he held the World Record in until July 2025. He represented the US at the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games. Lochte swam to eight long course meters World Records during his career, including the men’s 4×200 free relay record of a 6:58.55 that still stands from 2009.
Lochte competed at the collegiate level at Florida and graduated in 2007 with a degree in sport management. Lochte was a 24-time All-American, 7-time NCAA Champion, and held NCAA records in the 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 200 IM and 400 IM.
Lochte joins the coaching staff led by Dave Collins, who has served as head coach since 2012. Chelsea Dirks-Ham has been an associate head coach with the programs since 2013.
Ryan Lochte‘s father Steve Lochte was a swim coach for 44 years and retired in 2018. Both Steve and Ileana “Ike” Lochte, Ryan’s mom, coached Ryan until he was 12 years old.
Lochte’s girlfriend Molly Gillihan, a kindergarten teacher, is from Springfield, Missouri. She attended Greenwood Laboratory School on the Missouri State campus in high school and later went to college at nearby Drury University, an NCAA Division II swimming power.
How Good Is Missouri State Swimming?
The Missouri State men captured their 6th Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) title this past season and 22nd overall conference championship. The Missouri State women finished 3rd out of nine teams at the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championships.
The men sent one swimmer to the 2026 NCAA Championships as freshman Kiefer Roemer finished 29th in the 100 breaststroke in a lifetime best 52.15. Prior to Roemer, the last swimmer on the men’s side to swim at an NCAA Championship was back in 2019 when Blair Bish and Artur Osvath competed at the meet in Austin, Texas. Bish earned Honorable Mention NCAA All-American honors at the meet with a 51.95 100 breaststroke for 10th overall.
The women have only sent one swimmer to an NCAA Championship. Back in 2022, Anna Miller swam to a 35th place finish in the 50 freestyle with a 22.29. Miller graduated in 2022 and was an assistant coach for the program this past season after being hired in May 2025.
bro is going to mess this up somehow
Comment from the future: he already is
I’m just glad to see a mid-major getting some attention. I’m hoping this helps Springfield finally get a long course facility. With all of the success that town has had in our sport, it’s embarrassing that one hasn’t been built yet.
I guess I see why he was interested in Missouri State if his girlfriend is from Springfield. I just thought he would go to a higher level school in a power 4 conference if he was going to be an asst. swim coach. I enjoyed watching Ryan swim and wish him the best of luck with the new job. I am guessing that he will help a lot with recruiting from his name alone both in the US and outside the US.
The response here is expected. I’m wondering what took so long as this really seems like a natural thing for him to do and it could maybe work out if he can properly deal with his demons.
BLAIR BISH MENTIONED 🔥
MAC men’s swimming and diving mentioned!!
RIP men’s MACTION 1953-2024
Should we call Safe Sport now? Or do we wait?
??.
Classless comment.
I grew up watching Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte battle it out. Kinda feel like it was the most hype swimming ever got. Ryan was a big part of why I felt my niche sport was relevant to more people. I wish him the best.
This is going to sound dumb but I have been that guy who people probably thought “Oh, somehow he got a new opportunity and he is probably going to find some way to mess it up.” What I am hoping for Ryan, someone who I really looked up to as an aspiring swimmer, is that he kind find a sense of inner peace and contentment with where he is. There really isn’t anything more… Read more »
Nice post. Better than “The way way back” with Sam Rockwell. He helped a dude find meaning at a water park
I wish Mr. Lochte the best! I hope he can motivate his swimmers to work as hard as he did. I hope he can help others to avoid some of the pitfalls he had to endure.
I hope the 5th best breaststroker on his team dropping 0.3 seconds due to Lochte’s help fills his soul more than any cameras or fame ever did. Or something like that.
May he find that love of swimming which drove him to such success as an athlete. Go get’em, Ryan!!