Marvin Lewis facts for kids
Lewis in 2022
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| Las Vegas Raiders | |
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| Position: | Assistant head coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 23, 1958 McDonald, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Fort Cherry (McDonald, Pennsylvania) |
| College: | Idaho State (1977–1980) |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 131–122–3 (.518) |
| Postseason: | 0–7 (.000) |
| Career: | 131–129–3 (.504) |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Marvin Lewis (born September 23, 1958) is a well-known American football coach. He is currently the assistant head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Before this, Lewis was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals for 16 seasons.
He became famous as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 1996 to 2001. In 2000, his defense set a record for allowing the fewest points in a 16-game season. This strong defense helped the Ravens win their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV. Because of this success, Lewis was hired as the Bengals' head coach, a role he held from 2003 to 2018.
When Lewis joined the Bengals, the team was struggling. They had not had a winning season or made the playoffs since 1990. Lewis helped turn the team around. By his third season, the Bengals had a winning record and won their division. He led the Bengals to seven playoff appearances and four division titles. From 2011 to 2015, they made the playoffs five times in a row, a team record. Lewis became the Bengals' winningest head coach. He was also named Coach of the Year in 2009.
Even though Lewis brought the Bengals back to respectability, he never won a playoff game. He has 131 regular season wins and coached for 16 years. His seven playoff losses are the most for an NFL head coach without a playoff win.
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Early Life and College Football
Marvin Lewis was born in McDonald, Pennsylvania. This is a small town near Pittsburgh. He started playing football when he was 9 years old. In high school, he played safety and quarterback for Fort Cherry High School. He also wrestled and played baseball.
Lewis first planned to play football at Purdue University. But then he got a scholarship to Idaho State University. He mainly played linebacker there. In 2001, he was added to Idaho State University's Sports Hall of Fame. He also earned two degrees from Idaho State.
Marvin Lewis's Coaching Journey
Starting in College Football
Lewis began his coaching career at Idaho State. He was a graduate assistant and then the linebackers coach for four seasons (1981–1984). In his first year, Idaho State won the NCAA Division I-AA Championship.
After Idaho State, Lewis coached at other colleges. He was an assistant coach at Long Beach State University (1985–1986). He also coached at the University of New Mexico (1987–1989) and the University of Pittsburgh (1990–1992).
Coaching in the NFL
Assistant Coach Roles
Lewis had short coaching experiences with the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Then, in 1992, he was hired as the linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was with the Steelers when they lost Super Bowl XXX.
In 1996, the Baltimore Ravens hired Lewis as their defensive coordinator. He held this important job for six seasons (1996–2001). On January 28, 2001, the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV. Their defense was amazing, allowing very few yards and points that season. Many people thought Lewis would soon become a head coach.
Lewis was considered for several NFL head coaching jobs. He almost became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. But the team owners decided to hire someone else. He was also a candidate for the Buffalo Bills job. Soon after, Lewis joined the Washington Redskins as their defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
Becoming a Head Coach
Leading the Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2010)
Marvin Lewis became the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals on January 14, 2003. He was the ninth coach in the team's history. The Bengals had been struggling for many years.
Lewis quickly helped the team improve. He worked with talented young players like quarterback Carson Palmer and receivers Chad Johnson and T. J. Houshmandzadeh. After two seasons with an 8–8 record, Lewis led the Bengals to an 11–5 record in 2005. This was their first winning season, first division title, and first playoff trip since 1990. However, they lost their first playoff game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 2009, Cincinnati had another winning season. They won all six games against their AFC North rivals, which was a first for the team. The Bengals finished 10–6 and won the AFC North title. They made the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years. On January 9, 2010, they lost to the New York Jets in the playoffs. A week later, Lewis was named the Associated Press 2009 NFL Coach of the Year.
Playoff Streaks and Challenges (2011–2015)
In 2011, Lewis signed a contract extension with the Bengals. The team faced challenges, losing key players. But with new draft picks like receiver A. J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bengals still had a winning season. Lewis won his 65th game with the Bengals, becoming the winningest coach in team history. They finished 9–7 and made the playoffs, but lost to the Houston Texans.
The Bengals made the playoffs in 2012 and 2013 as well. In 2012, they finished 10–6. This was the first time the Bengals made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 1982. In 2013, they had an 11–5 record and won their third division title under Lewis. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs each time.
By 2014, Lewis had more control over the team's football decisions. He became the 37th coach in NFL history to reach 100 regular season wins. The Bengals continued their playoff streak, finishing 10–5–1. But they lost again in the first round to the Indianapolis Colts. This was their fourth straight first-round playoff exit.
In 2015, the Bengals started with an amazing 8–0 record. They finished the year 12–4, their best record under Lewis. However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the fifth year in a row. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a very close game. This loss made Lewis the first NFL coach to lose seven playoff games without any wins.
End of an Era (2016–2018)
The 2016 and 2017 seasons were tougher for the Bengals. They had losing records and missed the playoffs for two years in a row. These were Lewis's first losing seasons since 2010.
Despite the team's struggles and Lewis's playoff record, he signed a two-year contract extension. The 2018 season started strong, with the Bengals leading their division. But injuries and a struggling defense led to a collapse. The team finished with a 6–10 record. This was the first time the Bengals missed the playoffs for three straight years under Lewis.
On December 31, 2018, Lewis and the Bengals agreed to part ways. Lewis left as the first Bengals head coach since 1978 to have an overall winning record.
Back to College and Return to NFL
After leaving the Bengals, Lewis became a special advisor at Arizona State University in 2019. In 2020, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator.
On February 1, 2024, Lewis returned to the NFL. He was announced as the assistant head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Marvin Lewis's Head Coaching Record
| Team | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | |
| CIN | 2003 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2nd in AFC North | - | - | - | |
| CIN | 2004 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| CIN | 2005 | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 1st in AFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card Game |
| CIN | 2006 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2nd in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| CIN | 2007 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3rd in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| CIN | 2008 | 4 | 11 | 1 | .281 | 3rd in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| CIN | 2009 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 1st in AFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to New York Jets in AFC Wild Card Game |
| CIN | 2010 | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 4th in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| CIN | 2011 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3rd in AFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Houston Texans in AFC Wild Card Game |
| CIN | 2012 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2nd in AFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Houston Texans in AFC Wild Card Game |
| CIN | 2013 | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 1st in AFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to San Diego Chargers in AFC Wild Card Game |
| CIN | 2014 | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 2nd in AFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Indianapolis Colts in AFC Wild Card Game |
| CIN | 2015 | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 1st in AFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card Game |
| CIN | 2016 | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 3rd in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| CIN | 2017 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3rd in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| CIN | 2018 | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 4th in AFC North | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 131 | 122 | 3 | .518 | 0 | 7 | .000 | - | ||
Other Work and Family Life
After leaving the Bengals, Lewis worked as a football analyst. He covered games for Turner Sports's coverage of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).
Marvin Lewis is married and has two children, a daughter and a son. His son, Marcus, is also a football coach. He coaches running backs at Hampton University. He used to work for the Bengals as well.
