new video posted to Instagram<\/a> over the weekend. In the clip, he announced a major \u201cplot twist\u201d \u2014 he\u2019s taking on a new position as assistant swimming and diving coach at Missouri State University.<\/p>\n\u201cSwimming gave me an incredible career, memories, things I will cherish forever, but over the last couple of years something so unexpected happened,\u201d Lochte, 41, explained.<\/p>\nRyan Lochte debuted dark, scruffy facial hair and a fresh tan in a new video posted to Instagram over the weekend. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Olympic swimmer gave fans a major update on his career journey in the clip. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/aside>\n\u201cI might actually be more passionate about coaching than competing,\u201d he continued, stating that he believes he \u201cmight even be a better coach\u201d than a competitor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI traded in my googles for a stopwatch, and I\u2019m not going to lie, it looks pretty good on me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the new career move, fans couldn\u2019t help themselves from weighing in on Lochte\u2019s appearance in the comments section.<\/p>\nLochte had fans doing a double-take and calling him \u201cunrecognizable\u201d as he announced his new role as assistant swimming and diving coach at Missouri State University. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHowever, many praised the athlete (seen here with girlfriend Molly Gillihan in December 2025) for his dapper look. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile he\u2019s previously dyed his hair in the past, he appears to be styling his darker locks with gel and sporting a five o\u2019clock shadow<\/p>\n
\u201cLiterally does not look like him,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are unrecognizable,\u201d another agreed.<\/p>\n
A third chimed in, writing, \u201cWhoa. He looks like a completely different person.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cStill fine [I don\u2019t care],\u201d one fan wrote about Lochte (seen here in 2013). Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLochte (seen here in 2016) has dyed his hair several times over the years. Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOn the flip side, others gushed over Lochte\u2019s dapper look, with one person saying he\u2019s \u201cstill fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSay what you want but this dude is a legend,\u201d a second fan marveled.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking great,\u201d another stated.<\/p>\n
Others congratulated Lochte on his new gig, writing things like, \u201cYou\u2019re going to crush it.\u201d<\/p>\nLochte (seen here in 2012) debuted the new look more than a year after estranged wife Kayla Rae Reid filed for divorce. Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe retired pro swimmer (seen here with Gillihan in April) shared he was looking forward to the next chapter. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLochte\u2019s new look \u2014 and new chapter \u2014 comes after his estranged wife, Kayla Rae Reid, filed for divorce<\/a> in March 2025 after seven years of marriage. They announced their split in June 2025.<\/p>\nThe exes are the parents to son Caiden Zane<\/a>, 8, and daughters,\u00a0 Liv Rae<\/a>, 6,\u00a0and\u00a0 Georgia June<\/a>, 2.<\/p>\nLochte has since moved on with Molly Gillihan<\/a>, whom he claimed was \u201c10 times better\u201d<\/a> than Reid.<\/p>\nHis new partner appears to be supportive of his new gig, as she wrote in the comments section, \u201cI love you. I am beyond, beyond proud of you. This is what you were made to do!!! Congrats my lovie! \ud83d\udc95.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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