[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I just don't follow this stuff very closley. Who is Tim Lewis? What are his qualifications?

http://www.giants.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=10

Tim Lewis was the first assistant coach hired by Tom Coughlin when he was named defensive coordinator on Jan. 9, 2004. Lewis, who spent the previous four seasons as the coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, brings a tough and hard-hitting style of defense to the Giants.

“Tim Lewis is a very impressive young coordinator and play-caller,” Coughlin said. “He had great success over the last four years, and I have watched him develop because we competed in the same division (when Coughlin coached the Jacksonville Jaguars). His style will establish toughness and an aggressive style of play.”

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.
Lewis began his coaching career in 1987 at Texas A&M under head coach Jackie Sherrill, who was his coach at the University of Pittsburgh. He then coached the defensive backs at Southern Methodist from 1989-92, followed by a stint at his alma mater (1993-94).

Lewis was a standout player at Pittsburgh and with the Green Bay Packers, though his career was cut short by a neck injury. He played at Pittsburgh from 1979-82, and was a starting cornerback his final two seasons. Lewis was named an NEA All-America in 1982 and was named the Defensive MVP of both the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine games following his senior season. He received an economics degree from Pittsburgh in 1983.

In 1983, the Packers chose Lewis with the 11th overall selection in the NFL draft. Lewis played 52 games for the Packers, twice led or shared the team lead in interceptions and finished his career with 16 picks. His 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Rams in 1984 is still the Packers’ team record.

But in the third game of the 1986 season, a Monday night contest against the Chicago Bears in Lambeau Field, Lewis suffered a career-ending neck injury. He began his coaching career the following year.

Lewis was born on Dec. 18, 1961 in Quakertown, Pa. He is married (Shawn).