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12-time Olympic medalist and current World Record holder Ryan Lochte<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> will join the Missouri State coaching staff for the upcoming 2026-2027 season as an assistant coach, the school announced.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat stood out to me about Missouri State is the culture,\u201d Lochte explained. \u201cThere\u2019s a strong sense of purpose, accountability, and team-first mentality. You can tell this is a program that\u2019s building something meaningful and sustainable. Dave (Collins) and Chelsea (Dirks-Ham) have created an environment that emphasizes development, not just performance, and that really resonates with me. Their vision for the program aligns with how I see the sport \u2014 developing complete athletes and great people. Being able to learn from them while also bringing my own experience to the table made this opportunity feel like the right fit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a personal standpoint, this is a new chapter that I\u2019m truly excited about,\u201d Lochte continued. \u201cSwimming has given me so much, and this is my chance to give back in a meaningful way. I\u2019m coming into this role with humility, hunger, and a genuine passion to make an impact. I want to be someone these athletes can trust \u2014 not just as a coach, but as a mentor who understands what they\u2019re going through. This opportunity isn\u2019t something I take lightly. It\u2019s about building relationships, contributing to a winning culture, and helping shape the next generation \u2014 not just as swimmers, but as people.\u201d<\/p>\n This will mark Lochte\u2019s coaching debut after a decorated swimming career. Lochte last competed at the 2021 US Olympic Trials-Wave II. He was 7th in the 200 IM, an event he held the World Record in until July 2025. He represented the US at the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games. Lochte swam to eight long course meters World Records during his career, including the men\u2019s 4\u00d7200 free relay record of a 6:58.55 that still stands from 2009.<\/p>\n Lochte competed at the collegiate level at Florida and graduated in 2007 with a degree in sport management. Lochte was a 24-time All-American, 7-time NCAA Champion, and held NCAA records in the 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 200 IM and 400 IM.<\/p>\n Lochte joins the coaching staff led by Dave Collins<\/a><\/strong>, who has served as head coach since 2012. Chelsea Dirks-Ham<\/a><\/strong> has been an associate head coach with the programs since 2013.<\/p>\n The Missouri State men captured their 6th Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) title this past season and 22nd overall conference championship. The Missouri State women finished 3rd out of nine teams at the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championships.<\/p>\n The men sent one swimmer to the 2026 NCAA Championships as freshman Kiefer Roemer<\/a><\/strong> finished 29th in the 100 breaststroke in a lifetime best 52.15. Prior to Roemer, the last swimmer on the men\u2019s side to swim at an NCAA Championship was back in 2019 when Blair Bish<\/a><\/strong> and Artur Osvath<\/a><\/strong> competed at the meet in Austin, Texas. Bish earned Honorable Mention NCAA All-American honors at the meet with a 51.95 100 breaststroke for 10th overall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHow Good Is Missouri State Swimming?<\/h3>\n