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Ray Lewis Has Reportedly 'Emerged' As Candidate For College Head Coaching Job

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 10:04 AM ET

In recent years, we've seen several colleges go outside the box with their coaching hires, opting for former star NFL players without much coaching experience.

Deion Sanders had only coached at the high school level before Jackson State hired him in 2020. Now, he has Colorado off to an 8-2 start in his second season in Boulder. At Tennessee State, Eddie George is in his fourth season after never having been a head coach before. His Tigers are 8-3 and have their most wins in a season in more than a decade.

Is it possible Ray Lewis might be able to follow in their footsteps? Well, Florida Atlantic seems to think so, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Two days after FAU fired Tom Herman, the program is considering bringing in Lewis, Schefter reported Wednesday morning.

"Following the Deion Sanders-to-Colorado model, Hall-of-Fame linebacker Ray Lewis has emerged as a candidate to become the next head coach at Florida Atlantic University, sources tell ESPN," Schefter tweeted.

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis receives his Ring of Excellence during halftime of the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Lewis, 49, has never coached before at any level, though he did serve as an NFL broadcaster and analyst for several years. It also should be noted that CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz is contradicting Schefter, saying that the Hall of Fame linebacker is "unlikely" to be hired in Boca Raton.

"There has not been communication between Lewis and the school as of Wednesday morning," Zenitz wrote.

Two of Lewis' sons, Ray III and Rayshad, played Division 1 football. Ray III, who passed away in 2023 at 28, suited up for the University of Miami and Coastal Carolina, while Rayshad played for Maryland and Utah State.

Given Lewis' lack of experience and his well-documented involvement in a murder trial during his playing days, it seems like FAU could find more suitable candidates.

We'll see if there is anything to these rumors, or if Schefter was just floating a trial balloon that went nowhere.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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