Olympic Legend Ryan Lochte Joins Missouri State Swimming Coaching Staff
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the collegiate swimming world, Missouri State University has officially announced the addition of six-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte to its coaching staff. Lochte, a veteran of four Olympic Games and one of the most decorated swimmers in history, will serve as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs.
How the Deal Came Together During a recent interview, Missouri State Swimming and Diving head coach Dave Collins revealed that the opportunity arose almost by surprise. The process began just a few weeks ago when Jenny Hopkins reached out with a tip: Lochte and his girlfriend, Molly—who is a Springfield native—were looking to relocate.
“That was really all I needed to get in action,” Collins said. “We didn’t have a position, so to speak. So I got to work to try to get something created because when an opportunity like that comes up, you just have to do everything you can to make it happen.”
A New Era for the Bears With the support of the athletic department, Collins was able to create a role specifically for the Olympic legend. Lochte’s arrival brings an unprecedented level of international experience to Springfield, offering student-athletes a chance to learn from a swimmer who has competed at the highest level of the sport for over a decade.
For Missouri State, this isn’t just a coaching hire; it’s a statement of intent for the future of the program.
