Concerns Arise Over Ryan Lochte’s New Coaching Role
Ryan Lochte’s estranged wife, Kayla Ray Reed, is expressing her worries regarding his recent appointment as an assistant coach for the Missouri State swimming team. She has voiced apprehensions about how this change might affect the mental well-being and stability of their three young children, whom she’ll be caring for from afar.
Reed, alongside their kids—8-year-old son Kayden Zane, and daughters Liv Ray, 7, and Georgia June, 2—continues to reside in Gainesville, Florida, where they’ve established their lives in the local school system.
The ongoing divorce between Reed and Lochte has played out publicly, leading to frequent disputes on social media platforms.
The distance from Gainesville to Missouri State is significant—around a 15-hour drive.
Lochte reassured TMZ that he plans to visit his children regularly, aiming to see them during breaks, vacations, and throughout the summer, using a portion of his anticipated $30,000 coaching salary to support these trips.
“I need to start this coaching position to help them in the future. I truly care about these kids,” Lochte commented. He expressed hope that one day his children would understand the significance of his choices, noting that this new role offers him a path to advance in his coaching career—something he felt was difficult while living in Gainesville.
His contract stipulates a base salary around $30,000, with potential bonuses for achievements like winning conference championships or qualifying for NCAA Championships.
Lochte revealed that residing in Gainesville with his girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, was “no longer healthy or viable.” He mentioned feeling alienated due to ongoing negativity directed at them, stating, “Gainesville hates me,” referring to the bullying they’ve faced from past relationships.
Gillihan, a six-time Olympic gold medalist, alleged that she lost her job due to false claims made by Reed and her acquaintances about their relationship.
Despite the ongoing disputes, Reed is prioritizing respectful co-parenting and the well-being of her children over public conflicts. A source mentioned that she aims to navigate this situation with maturity and grace.
Working as a real estate agent in Gainesville, Reed announced their divorce via an Instagram Story last June, stating that her seven-year marriage to Lochte had “irretrievably broken down.”
