"I had a pretty good swimming career, but honestly, I think I might even be a better swim coach," Lochte said in an announcement video
Credit: Ryan Lochte/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Ryan Lochte accepted an assistant coaching position with the Missouri State Bears
- The Olympic gold medalist said he “might actually be more passionate about coaching than competing” in a video announcement on Sunday, May 10
- Lochte’s girlfriend Molly Gillihan expressed her excitement to be “moving back home” with the Olympian
Ryan Lochte is headed to Missouri.
The 41-year-old Olympian and Missouri State swim team announced on Sunday, May 10 that Lochte has accepted a role as an assistant coach.
"Adding 1️⃣2️⃣ Olympic 🥇🥈🥉 to the staff. Welcome assistant coach Ryan Lochte," the school wrote in a post.
Lochte shared his excitement for the new chapter in an Instagram Reel later that day, telling his followers, "Plot twist!! Ryan Lochte is officially becoming Coach Lochte."
The Olympian said, "After spending half my life staring at the black line at the bottom of a pool, I figured it was time to help the next generation do the same thing. Swimming gave me an incredible career, memories, things I will cherish forever, but over the last couple of years, something so unexpected happened."
Credit: Ryan Lochte/Instagram
Lochte said he thinks he "might actually be more passionate about coaching than competing," in the video. "Don't get me wrong," Lochte continued, "I had a pretty good swimming career, but honestly, I think I might even be a better swim coach."
"So I traded in my goggles for a stopwatch and I'm not gonna lie, it looks pretty good on me," said Lochte, assuring fans not to "worry" because he still plans to "say 'Jeah,' " (his signature catchphrase) and "will still over-celebrate" as assistant coach.
"And yes, there might be way too much energy on pool day, but that's okay," Lochte said.
The gold medalist, who auctioned off his Olympic hardware in December, added, "I'm beyond excited to work with the athletes at Missouri State alongside coach Dave Collins in helping these swimmers both in and out of the pool and creating unforgettable memories along the way. Let's go Bears! Let's get it."
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Lochte's girlfriend Molly Gillihan, who he moved in with in January, commented on the post, writing, "love you. I am beyond, beyond proud of you. This is what you were made to do!!! Congrats my lovie! 💕"
Molly also shared her boyfriend's video on her own Instagram Stories and wrote, "Let's go baby!!! So FREAKING proud of you!!! Bringing Coach Lochte to Springfield," and added, "@ryanlochte and I are moving back home."
Lochte and his ex-wife Kayla Rae Reid share three children: son Caiden Zane, 8, and daughters Liv Rae, 6 and Georgia June, 2.
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