Tim Lewis, the first assistant coach hired by Tom Coughlin when he took over the New York Giants, is interviewing with St. Louis Rams president John Shaw today for the open Rams head coaching position.
Lewis was named defensive coordinator two season ago after spending the previous four seasons as the coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Tim Lewis is a very impressive young coordinator and play-caller,” Coughlin said.
In 2003, Lewis’ defense was ranked ninth in the NFL, allowing 298.9 yards a game. The unit was 12th against the run (108.5 yards a game) and 11th against the pass (190.4). In 2002, Pittsburgh was seventh in the league in total defense (302.2 yards per game) and first in rushing defense for the second consecutive season (85.9).
The Steelers’ 2001 defense was ranked first in the NFL in both total defense (258.6 yards a game), and rushing defense (74.7) and was fourth against the pass (183.9). The Steelers were seventh in the league defensively in 2000, Lewis’ first season as defensive coordinator.
Under Lewis’ tutelage, linebacker Jason Gildon became Pittsburgh’s career sack leader, with 77.0.
Lewis originally joined the Steelers staff in 1995, as the defensive backs coach, a position he held for five years before being promoted to coordinator.
