Coaching Staff Home Page

	Defensive Coordinator Born: September 23, 1958, McDonald, PA 5th Year w/Ravens 20th Year Coaching Idaho State
	Marvin Lewis

Ravenszone.net members, click here for videos! Non-members, sign up today!

Marvin Lewis is in his fifth year with the Ravens as defensive coordinator. He was the only coach retained from the previous staff by Brian Billick (in 1999). The Ravens� young defense has evolved into one of the NFL�s elite groups. Last season�s unit finished ranked second in the league in yards allowed per game (263.9). In fact, the Ravens defense finished in the top two in five important categories, including first in yards allowed per play (4.1) and opponents� average gain per pass attempt (5.48). The defense did not permit a 100-yard rusher last season, and permitted only 38 plays of 20 yards or more (second in the league to Buffalo�s 37). Baltimore�s defense sent four players to the Pro Bowl: DE Michael McCrary, LB Ray Lewis, S Rod Woodson and LB Peter Boulware.

In each of Marvin�s four previous seasons as coordinator, the Ravens have improved in the most important defensive category: points allowed. Last season, the Ravens ranked sixth in the NFL by allowing only 17.3 points per games. In 1998, they were 16th, allowing an average of 20.9 points per game. In 1997, Baltimore ranked 18th (21.6) and in 1996, the Ravens were 29th (27.6).

Lewis spent four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-95) coaching some of the best linebackers in the NFL, including Pro Bowlers Kevin Greene, Chad Brown, Levon Kirkland and Greg Lloyd. From 1993-95, the Steelers� defense ranked among the top three in the NFL each season. Of Pittsburgh�s 97 sacks in two seasons (�94-95), the linebackers made 63.5, including 37.5 of a team record 55 sacks in �94.

Lewis, 42, is in his 20th year in coaching. He began his career coaching linebackers at his alma mater, Idaho State (1981-84). The Bengals finished 12-1 in Marvin�s first season and won the NCAA Division 1-AA championship. Lewis spent two years (1985-86) at Long Beach State before taking a post at New Mexico (1987-89), where he tutored inside linebackers the first two years and moved to the outside in �89. In 1990, he accepted a position coaching outside linebackers at Pittsburgh (1990-91).

Marvin received his bachelor�s degree in physical education from Idaho State in 1981 and his master�s in athletic administration in 1982. He earned All-Big Sky Conference honors (1978, �79, �80) as a linebacker and also played quarterback and free safety during his college career.

Lewis attended Fort Cherry H. S. in McDonald (PA), where he was an all-conference quarterback and safety, and earned letters in wrestling and baseball. He and his wife, Peggy, have two children: daughter Whitney (15) and son Marcus (10). They reside in Finksburg, MD.

Coaching Background: 1981-84 (Idaho State); 1985-86 (Long Beach State); 1987-89 (New Mexico); 1990-91 (Pittsburgh); 1992-95 (Pittsburgh Steelers); 1996-2000 (Baltimore Ravens).