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The last two defensive coordinators of the Pittsburgh Steelers before Teryl Austin are enjoying retirement. But Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator prior to Dick LaBeau’s second DC stint, Tim Lewis, has a new job opportunity.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Boston College is expected to hire Lewis as the program’s new defensive coordinator.
“Sources: Boston College is working toward hiring Tim lewis as the school’s new defensive coordinator,” Thamel wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on February 13. “He’s a longtime NFL assistant coach who has worked for six different franchises, including defensive coordinator for the Steelers (2000-03) and Giants (2004-06).”
Lewis served as a Steelers defensive assistant for nine years. Before becoming the team’s defensive coordinator in 2000, he was Pittsburgh’s defensive backs coach from 1995-99.
Lewis was also the defensive backs coach at Pitt for two seasons from 1993-94.
He last coached in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers in 2015. He has coached at the high school level and in the AAF, XFL and UFL since then.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers DC Tim Lewis Joining Boston College
While Lewis has bounced around since his last NFL gig nearly a decade ago, his position as Boston College’s defensive coordinator will be his first college football job in 30 years.
Lewis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M in 1987. He remained in that position for two years until coaching defensive backs at SMU from 1989-92.
Lewis spent the next 11 seasons of his coaching career in the Steel City at either Pitt or with the Steelers.
With Lewis as defensive coordinator, the Steelers allowed the fewest yards in the NFL during 2001. They also yielded the third-fewest points and finished No. 1 in run defense that season.
In all four of Lewis’ seasons as defensive coordinator, the Steelers were ranked top 10 in total defense. They also never finished worse than 16th in points allowed.
However, then Steelers head coach Bill Cowher fired Lewis after the 2003 season. With a 6-10 mark, the 2003 season was the last time the Steelers didn’t have at least a .500 record.
“My intent all along was to sit down, evaluate the entire season and not make any hasty decisions on any members of our coaching staff,” Cowher told the media after firing Lewis in January 2004. “After discussions with the coaches, it was apparent these changes were necessary in the best interest of the team.”
LeBeau came back to Pittsburgh as defensive coordinator to replace Lewis in 2004. The Steelers promptly returned to having the No. 1 total defense under LeBeau that fall.
New Boston College DC Has Deep Pittsburgh Roots
Lewis’ connection to Pittsburgh dates back further than even his tenure as the Panthers defensive backs coach.
Lewis played college football at Pitt from 1979-82. He was part of a freshman class at Pitt that saw eight future NFL players, including Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, on campus.
Lewis then became the No. 11 pick for the Green Bay Packers in the 1983 NFL draft. He played four NFL seasons for the Packers before beginning his coaching career at 26 years old in 1987.
In 51 NFL games, Lewis posted 16 interceptions, 1 of which he returned for a touchdown. Lewis retired following the 1986 season because of a severe neck injury.
After Pittsburgh, Lewis, who is from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, served as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 2004-06. In those three seasons, though, the Giants were never better than 13th in total defense.
From 2007-14, Lewis coached defensive backs for the Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons before his final NFL job with the 49ers in 2015.
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