Ryan Lochte ‘unrecognizable’ with tan, scruffy facial hair as he announces major career move

Ryan Lochte has fans doing a double-take.

The Olympic swimmer debuted dark, scruffy facial hair and a fresh tan in a new video posted to Instagram over the weekend. In the clip, he announced a major “plot twist” — he’s taking on a new position as assistant swimming and diving coach at Missouri State University.

“Swimming gave me an incredible career, memories, things I will cherish forever, but over the last couple of years something so unexpected happened,” Lochte, 41, explained.

“I might actually be more passionate about coaching than competing,” he continued, stating that he believes he “might even be a better coach” than a competitor.

“I traded in my googles for a stopwatch, and I’m not going to lie, it looks pretty good on me.”

Despite the new career move, fans couldn’t help themselves from weighing in on Lochte’s appearance in the comments section.

While he’s previously dyed his hair in the past, he appears to be styling his darker locks with gel and sporting a five o’clock shadow

“Literally does not look like him,” one person wrote.

“You are unrecognizable,” another agreed.

A third chimed in, writing, “Whoa. He looks like a completely different person.”

On the flip side, others gushed over Lochte’s dapper look, with one person saying he’s “still fine.”

“Say what you want but this dude is a legend,” a second fan marveled.

“Looking great,” another stated.

Others congratulated Lochte on his new gig, writing things like, “You’re going to crush it.”

Lochte’s new look — and new chapter — comes after his estranged wife, Kayla Rae Reid, filed for divorce in March 2025 after seven years of marriage. They announced their split in June 2025.

The exes are the parents to son Caiden Zane, 8, and daughters, Liv Rae, 6, and Georgia June, 2.

Lochte has since moved on with Molly Gillihan, whom he claimed was “10 times better” than Reid.

His new partner appears to be supportive of his new gig, as she wrote in the comments section, “I love you. I am beyond, beyond proud of you. This is what you were made to do!!! Congrats my lovie! 💕.”