If Marvin Lewis lands back in the NFL in 2020, these five teams make some sense for his next coaching job.
For the first time since 2002, Marvin Lewis is not working as an NFL head coach right now. And for the first time since 1980, he’s not working as a coach anywhere.
Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals decided to part ways, which was a kind way to publicly let him go after 16 seasons. Earlier this week, he joined Herm Edwards as a special advisor to the football program at Arizona State.
It’s easy to see that as a convenient way to stay involved in football, while he collects on the last year of his contract with the Bengals working in a small capacity near his Phoenix-area home. Once the season ends, Lewis can easily depart for a coaching job if there’s one out there.
According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, that is exactly what Lewis has his eye on.
Lewis built a strong resume as a defensive coordinator prior to his long run as Bengals head coach, with the Baltimore Ravens (1996-2001) and Washington Redskins (2002).
He had a top-six yardage defense four times, a top-five run defense three times, a top-10 pass defense four times and a top-six scoring defense three times.
The 2000 Ravens’ defense stands as his masterwork, as that unit allowed the fewest rushing yards and points over a 16-game season.
Lewis is the all-time winningest coach in Bengals’ history (131 regular season victories), so he will carry that mark on his resume.
Be it as a head coach or an assistant, these five NFL teams could consider hiring Lewis in 2020.
5. Baltimore Ravens
John Harbaugh will remain in place as Ravens’ head coach now, and Don Martindale isn’t necessarily going anywhere as defensive coordinator.
But Martindale has gotten some looks for head coaching jobs, and another strong season for Baltimore’s defense in 2019 will get him into the interview cycle again.
If he leaves, a familiar face from years of playing Lewis and the Bengals might be a nice replacement option for Harbaugh to consider.
Lewis may prefer to have a head coaching job, which there’s nothing wrong with. But as potential coordinator openings go looking to 2020, Baltimore looks like a great fit.