The Florida Atlantic Owls find themselves at a crossroads following the dismissal of head coach Tom Herman after a disappointing 2-8 season. FAU has reportedly turned its sights toward a high-profile, unconventional candidate: Baltimore Ravens legend and Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the two-time Super Bowl champion has emerged as a potential choice to lead the program.
This move comes as colleges increasingly lean into the trend of hiring former star players with little to no prior coaching experience, following the high-profile successes of Deion Sanders at Colorado and Eddie George at Tennessee State. Lewis, known for his charisma and leadership on the field, could bring a similar impact to the FAU sideline.
FAU needs a leader like Ray Lewis to lead their team
Hiring Lewis would be a bold and attention-grabbing decision for a program that has struggled to remain competitive since its 2019 Conference USA championship under Lane Kiffin.
Despite a Hall of Fame career with the Ravens and his renowned motivational skills, Lewis has no formal coaching background. However, this lack of experience hasn’t stopped programs like Colorado and Tennessee State from finding success with similar hires.
Lewis’ reputation as one of the NFL’s greatest defensive minds and his ability to inspire and connect with players make him an intriguing candidate. While FAU sits at the bottom of the American Athletic Conference standings, bringing in a figure of Lewis’ stature could inject much-needed energy into the program.
His name alone could attract recruits, media attention, and a new sense of direction.
Following the Deion Sanders-to-Colorado model, Hall-of-Fame linebacker Ray Lewis has emerged as a candidate to become the next head coach at Florida Atlantic University, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eZk8av3Vcc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2024
For Lewis, this opportunity could serve as a stepping stone into the coaching world, allowing him to replicate the blueprint of other former players turned coaches who have redefined expectations.
Since transitioning to the AAC, the program has faced challenges competing at a higher level. After firing Willie Taggart and Tom Herman, FAU is clearly searching for a leader who can reverse its fortunes.
While some skeptics might question Lewis’ lack of experience, his Hall of Fame credentials and undeniable leadership qualities align with FAU’s need for short-term excitement and long-term stability. If Lewis takes the helm, the Owls would be banking on his ability to bring the same fire and intensity to coaching he displayed during his playing days.
As FAU navigates this pivotal moment, the possibility of Lewis coaching from the sidelines indicates a significant change in the program’s strategy, one that could reshape its future and establish a trend for more unconventional hires throughout college football.