ExtremeRavens Posted December 3 Posted December 3 Ray Lewis’ name is making the rounds in college football again. Last month, there were conflicting reports that the Ravens legend and Hall of Fame linebacker was in the mix to become the next coach at Florida Atlantic. Tuesday, Fox Sports 640 South Florida radio host Andy Slater reported on X that Lewis is “highly interested” in the opening at Florida International in Miami. An FIU spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by The Baltimore Sun but a source with direct knowledge of the school’s search for a coach said there has been no contact with Lewis as of Tuesday. The Panthers fired coach Mike MacIntyre on Sunday, one day after they finished 4-8 for a third straight year. Lewis, who retired in 2013 after winning a pair of Super Bowls in 17 seasons with Baltimore and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, has no previous coaching experience. He has worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN and wrote a New York Times bestselling memoir. Two weeks ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49-year-old was being considered for the FAU job. But CBS’ Matt Zenitz reported shortly after that was “highly unlikely” and there had been no communication between the former Raven and the school after the Owls parted ways with Tom Herman after he went 6-16 over two seasons. On Monday, FAU hired Zach Kittley, who spent the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Texas Tech, as its coach. Whether there is any interest from FIU in Lewis, who grew up in central Florida and starred at the University of Miami, remains to be seen. But it would be highly unusual given Lewis’ dearth of coaching experience. Former NFL star Deion Sanders coached multiple seasons at the high school level and the Football Championship Subdivision before becoming Colorado’s coach. But there is some familiarity, or at least coincidental connectivity between Lewis and FIU. Butch Davis, who coached Miami from 1995 to 2000 before bolting for the Cleveland Browns, was FIU’s coach from 2017 to 2021. Lewis, who turned pro and was drafted 26th overall by the Ravens one season before Davis took over for the Hurricanes, has remained close to his alma mater and is a prominent figure in South Florida. All six of FIU’s previous coaches had extensive experience, including the program’s first in 2002, Don Strock, who, among other stops, was the Ravens quarterbacks coach from 1996 to 1998. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.