Ryan Lochte has fans doing a double-take.<\/p>\n
The Olympic swimmer debuted dark, scruffy facial hair and a fresh tan in a 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>\n Ryan Lochte debuted dark, scruffy facial hair and a fresh tan in a new video posted to Instagram over the weekend. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/p>\n The Olympic swimmer gave fans a major update on his career journey in the clip. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/p>\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>\n Lochte 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<\/p>\n However, many praised the athlete (seen here with girlfriend Molly Gillihan in December 2025) for his dapper look. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/p>\n While 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<\/p>\n Lochte (seen here in 2016) has dyed his hair several times over the years. Getty Images<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tWant more celebrity and pop culture news?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with Page Six Daily.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n On 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>\n Lochte (seen here in 2012) debuted the new look more than a year after estranged wife Kayla Rae Reid filed for divorce. Getty Images<\/p>\n The retired pro swimmer (seen here with Gillihan in April) shared he was looking forward to the next chapter. ryanlochte\/Instagram<\/p>\n Lochte\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>\n The exes are the parents to son Caiden Zane<\/a>, 8, and daughters,\u00a0Liv Rae<\/a>, 6,\u00a0and\u00a0Georgia June<\/a>, 2.<\/p>\n Lochte has since moved on with Molly Gillihan<\/a>, whom he claimed was \u201c10 times better\u201d<\/a> than Reid.<\/p>\n His 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 \t\t\t\t\t\t