Lewis set to work behind the scenes with ASU football
Arizona State football coach Herm Edwards and Marvin Lewis crossed paths often in their tenures as head coaches in the NFL but they never worked together — until now.
Lewis, head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals for 16 years, was named a special adviser to Edwards and his Arizona State staff Tuesday. Both met with the media Wednesday to talk about their union and goals for the Sun Devil football program.
Edwards said he called Lewis when he was first hired at ASU 18 months ago and told him there was a spot for him if he was interested. At the time, Lewis was coaching the Bengals. However, after being fired by the NFL team in December, Lewis decided to take Edwards on the offer.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to come here and assist Herm and his coaches,” Lewis said. “I want to do everything I can to help win every game we play. That’s what’s important. That’s what it’s all about. This gives me an opportunity to assist and give back to people that helped me along the way.”
Lewis should fit in nicely with the Sun Devils. Not only does he come from the “NFL model” Edwards has talked about bringing to Tempe, but Lewis has additional interest in the school. His daughter, Whitney, graduated from ASU and still lives in the area. Lewis and his wife bought a home here in 2014.
One of Lewis’ closest friends is Dirk Koetter, ASU’s head coach from 200106.
And like Edwards, Lewis’ connections with ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson date back to his days as an agent.
Lewis has been around the program recently in an unofficial capacity. Among other things, he was in attendance at ASU’s pro day in March and liked what he has seen thus far.
“Last year, when Herm was hired here I had the opportunity to come and visit his coaches and the atmosphere is electric. I followed the program last season and now this gives me opportunity to stay in football,” Lewis said.
Lewis will work in a behind-thescenes role. He will help to break down film of both ASU and its opponents and serve as a sounding board for all matters pertaining to the program including practice procedures and game strategy.
He will not be on the recruiting trail as only those in official coaching roles are allowed to make in-home visits with prospects.
Edwards appreciates the knowledge and character Lewis brings to the program.
“You can’t get a better man,” Edwards said of Lewis. “One thing I realized when I got here, I wanted to hire good men, not just good football coaches. Marvin has proven that.”
The addition of Lewis makes nine coaches or support team members on the Sun Devils’ staff who have NFL ties — and three with Super Bowl rings. In addition to Lewis, linebacker coach Antonio Pierce, whom Lewis coached for a year in the NFL, won a ring as a player with the New York Giants while special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum has one as an assistant coach with the Packers.
The Sun Devils also boast a Hall of Famer in former NFL center Kevin Mawae, an offensive analyst who will be part of the induction class this summer.
“When you have the ability to bring in players with aspirations to play in that league, when you have a coaching staff with members that have played in the league, coached in the league that’s big. We’re not going to pretend that it’s not,” Edwards said. “Most of these kids now have aspiration of playing on Sunday. We said this is a pro model. Our model is about education and football.
“We have said this is a building of knowledge. You look at the wealth of knowledge we have walking around in this building, and you’re an athlete and you don’t ask the right questions, then shame on you.”
Lewis was a fixture with the Bengals, recording a franchise-record 131 career wins. He also set the club’s head-coaching marks for longest tenure (16 seasons), playoff appearances (seven), consecutive playoff appearances (five) and division titles (four). The seven playoff berths the Bengals achieved with Lewis equaled the total number the club had in the 35 seasons prior to his arrival.
Lewis was the consensus choice for NFL Coach of the Year in 2009, when the Bengals won the AFC North division while sweeping all six of their division games. The Bengals also won the AFC North under Lewis in 2005, 2013 and 2015.
He came to the Bengals after a noteworthy run as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. His six seasons there included a Super Bowl victory in 2000, when his defense set the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16game campaign (165).
“It was exciting to me to come to a place and be part of something that is on the rise and be in support of what Herm and his coaches are doing,” Lewis said.