Ryan Lochte is leaning on his support system as he embraces a fresh challenge in his career.
The six-time Olympic gold medalist has decided to join the coaching staff at Missouri State’s swimming program, stepping in as an assistant to head coach Dave Collins.
Lochte’s girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, took to Instagram to show her support.
“I love you. I’m so proud of you. This is what you have to do!!! Congratulations my love!” she expressed.
At 41, Lochte is set to start this new role this summer, having had his contract approved by the Missouri Board of Governors in June.
As reported by Front Office Sports, Lochte’s annual contract is valued at $30,000, plus potential bonuses, alongside an hourly wage of $34.10, which is the same rate for swim team assistants Anna Miller and Lee Smothers.
Earlier this year, Lochte and Gillihan merged their families, each bringing three children from previous relationships.
However, the path to building their relationship wasn’t entirely smooth.
The couple, who marked their first wedding anniversary on April 10, have faced a public social media dispute involving Lochte’s former wife, Kayla Rae Reid.
This tension arose from an email Lochte allegedly sent to Reid, who had filed for divorce in March 2025. In it, he purportedly stated that Gillihan was a “10x better mother.”
Lochte reportedly remarked, “Please take a look at the proposal I sent to your lawyer and continue your gold mining life.”
In response, Reid shared a screenshot of the email on her Instagram Story, describing the episode as “the tip of the iceberg.”
“This is after examining a 2-year-old child with strep throat,” she commented in an email. “It’s just the tip of the iceberg and I’m exhausted. My heart goes out to those in similar situations. I’m tired of being disrespected behind closed doors. It’s literally a 2/1000 message.”
Gillihan then responded to Reid, branding her a “child” for the “false stories” she circulated.
This isn’t the first instance of strife between the former couple.
Since their split, Reid has dropped hints about feelings of “betrayal,” alleging that Lochte used drugs in the presence of their children.
They share a son, Kaiden, along with two daughters, Liv and Georgia.
