Tag: Greg Lewis

Ravens hire former NFL WR as WRs Coach

The Ravens hired a former NFL wide receiver as their wide receivers coach

The Baltimore Ravens have been busy this week when it comes to shaping their coaching staff. They’ve been hiring offensive and defensive coaches left and right, not to mention making the big decision of placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson.

The newest addition to the Baltimore coaching staff is former NFL wide receiver Greg Lewis, as he’s been brought on as the team’s wide receivers coach.  Lewis has been with the Kansas City Chiefs the last five seasons, working with both their running backs and wide receivers.

Lewis played in the NFL for eight seasons with two teams, finishing his career with 152 catches for 1,992 yards and eight touchdowns. He will now bring his knowledge and expertise to the Ravens’ wide receiver room, and try to help players such as Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay unlock even more in their game.

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Ravens hire Chiefs running backs coach Greg Lewis to coaching staff

Greg Lewis interviewed with the Commanders after the hiring of Eric Bieniemy.

One of the top contenders for a role on new Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s staff has a new job — and he’s not coming to the Commanders.

Greg Lewis, a former NFL wide receiver with the Philadelphia Eagles, has spent the past six seasons as a member of Andy Reid’s coaching staff with the Chiefs. The first four as wide receivers coach and the last two as running backs coach.

Now, Lewis has a new job. He’ll be joining the Baltimore Ravens as wide receivers coach under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Lewis interviewed with the Commanders along with Tavita Pritchard after Bieniemy landed the Washington job. Pritchard was eventually named quarterbacks coach, but the Commanders continued to interview possible WR coaches, including Karl Dorrell and Bobby Engram.

The Commanders have yet to name a new wide receivers coach.

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Ravens hire former Chiefs assistant Greg Lewis as WR coach

The #Chiefs have a new assistant coaching vacancy to fill with RB coach Greg Lewis joining the #Ravens coaching staff as WR coach.

The Kansas City Chiefs now have another assistant coaching vacancy to fill.

The Baltimore Ravens announced on Wednesday that they’ve hired former Chiefs RB coach Greg Lewis for their WR coaching vacancy. Lewis was in the running for a position with the Washington Commanders under Eric Bieniemy, but they ultimately went a different direction.

When Andy Reid was asked about the situation with Lewis at the combine, he gave the following response to the Athletic’s Nate Taylor.

“I don’t know exactly where Greg is with things,” Reid said.

Well, now we know exactly where he stands.

Lewis has a long history with Andy Reid, which is where he first crossed paths with Ravens HC John Harbaugh. He played wide receiver with the Eagles from 2003-2008, a time when Harbaugh was special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach in Philly.

A member of the Chiefs’ coaching staff since 2017, Lewis spent four seasons as WR coach before becoming the team’s RB coach in 2021. He claimed that he wanted a new challenge and was switched to that position with Kansas City. Now, he’ll find himself back in his old role and the Chiefs will find themselves looking for their third RB coach of the Patrick Mahomes era.

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Chiefs assistant Greg Lewis to interview with Commanders

Greg Lewis is a former NFL wide receiver and spent the past six seasons on Andy Reid’s staff.

New Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is wasting no time assembling an offensive staff. On Tuesday, it was revealed that senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler and wide receivers coach Drew Terrell would not return to the Commanders in 2023. Terrell has a potential role on Arizona’s new staff.

As for the Commanders, they met with Chiefs running backs coach Greg Lewis on Wednesday, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

If Lewis sounds familiar to Washington fans, that’s because he spent six seasons as a wide receiver with the Philadelphia Eagles [2003-08] under Andy Reid. After beginning his coaching career in college in 2012, Lewis got his first NFL gig in 2015 as an offensive assistant with the Saints. In 2016, he was Philadelphia’s wide receivers coach under Doug Pederson. In 2017, he joined his old coach in Kansas City, where he coached wide receivers for four seasons.

So why is Lewis now a running backs coach?

Lewis wanted a challenge, so he asked Reid to coach a different position and coached running backs over the last two seasons. If he comes to Washington, the Commanders currently have running backs coach Randy Jordan and assistant running backs coach Jennifer King in place. Would Lewis be coaching receivers again?

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Lewis could receive a “top spot” on Bieniemy’s new offensive staff.

Bieniemy’s introductory press conference is set for Thursday morning.

Chiefs RB coach Greg Lewis set to interview with Commanders

It appears that at least one #Chiefs assistant could follow Eric Bieniemy to Washington as RB coach Greg Lewis is set to interview with the #Commanders, per report.

At least one Kansas City Chiefs assistant could follow Eric Bieniemy to the Washington Commanders according to multiple reports.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was the first to broach the possibility that Chiefs RB coach Greg Lewis could follow Bieniemy to Washington. Now, CBS Sports reporter Josina Anderson has confirmed that Lewis is en route to the Commanders’ team facilities for an interview to discuss a potential role on Bieniemy’s staff.

It’s currently unclear what that role might entail, but Lewis has experience coaching both receivers and running backs. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero has suggested that Lewis could receive a “top spot” on Bieniemy’s staff in Washington.

Lewis played wide receiver under Andy Reid in Philadelphia from 2003-2008. He joined the Chiefs’ coaching staff as a receiver coach in 2017 and spent four seasons in that position before becoming the team’s running backs coach in 2021. He coached the running backs in Kansas City this past season as well.

Bieniemy and Lewis both first crossed paths in 2009-2010, when Lewis was in the final years of his NFL career as a receiver and Bieniemy was assistant head coach and running backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke about the potential of assistant coaches seeking opportunities outside of Kansas City on the Monday following Super Bowl LVII.

“Listen, Eric Bieniemy has been tremendous for us,” Reid said. “I think he’s tremendous for the NFL. I’m hoping he has an opportunity to go somewhere and do his thing, where he can run the show and be Eric Bieniemy.

“After that, I don’t know. I don’t know who is going to go. I always wish our guys the best of luck and opportunity. That’s what all of them deserve. They work hard and if they can get a promotion somewhere that I can’t give them, more power to them.”

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Chiefs coaches allowing rookie RB Isiah Pacheco to be himself on the field

#Chiefs coaches Eric Bieniemy and Greg Lewis encourage rookie RB Isiah Pacheco to be himself on the field. | from @EdEastonJr

The emergence of rookie running back Isiah Pacheco has transformed the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Pacheco has been in the starting lineup since the Chiefs’ Week 7 match-up with the San Francisco 49ers, and his role has increased significantly since Clyde Edwards-Helaire was placed on injured reserve.

Pacheco’s fiery attitude and energetic running style have made him a favorite of fans and the coaching staff. The former Rutgers University team captain has frequently celebrated and shown emotion when finishing big runs. The extracurriculars don’t bother the coaching staff, as offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy explained during Thursday’s press conference.

“You know what, that’s a part of him, so he’s going to play excited regardless,” said Bieniemy. “So after every time he touched the ball, he has this juice or this energy – and I told you before, I want that same juice after every play call like, ‘Yeah, I just called that play!’ (laughter). You know what I mean? But he’s enjoying it, and you do not want to take that from him because that’s a part of who he is. He loves that. It makes him, it re-energizes him for the next play, but that’s something that Pacheco has within him. And we’re just going to ride with it.”

Pacheco has pushed past the 500-yard rushing mark this season, despite not drawing a start until Week 7.  He has evolved as the season has progressed into a reliable closing option, pounding the ball and working the game clock. Running backs coach Greg Lewis has understood the Andy Reid philosophy of letting players be themselves since his playing days and intends to keep that same approach with Pacheco.

“No, the big thing with Coach Reid and being around him for almost 20 years, for me, is that he allows you to be yourself and let your personality show.” Lewis said, “And Pop (Isiah Pacheco) does a tremendous job of letting his personality show, and you don’t want to take that away from anybody, any player, because then you’re losing who they are as a player, well. So it’s a fine line, but he knows where that line is, and we all understand it. He’s toeing the line, but he’s doing a great job for us.”

The Chiefs are marching to another AFC West division title due in part to Pacheco’s energy. The team’s current reliance on the running game has opened more in the passing game, rounding out the offense as the postseason approaches.

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Chiefs FB Mike Burton pumped for second season under RB coach Greg Lewis

#Chiefs FB Mike Burton is excited to see what the running back room will accomplish in its second season under Greg Lewis.

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Ahead of the 2021 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs made a surprising coaching decision.

After spending four seasons as the wide receivers coach in Kansas City, Greg Lewis was to take over for Deland McCullough as running backs coach. Prior to his time in Kansas City, Lewis had spent eight seasons as a receiver in the NFL, three seasons as a wide receivers coach in college football, a season as an assistant receivers coach in New Orleans, and one season coaching receiver in Philadelphia.

He’d never once coached running backs before.

Chiefs FB Mike Burton was also new to the running back room in Kansas City last season. He says that working with Lewis has been great, and whether he’s coaching receivers or running backs or any other position, he’s incredibly capable.

“It has been an awesome experience being with Coach Greg Lewis,” Burton told Chiefs Wire in an exclusive interview. “He is a football coach. I am a firm believer that he could coach any position, offense or defense. He’s an extremely intelligent guy, a hard worker.”

Andy Reid explained the switch from receivers to running backs as Coach Lewis looking for a new challenge. Well, he certainly had a challenging year in his first coaching the running back position. His starting running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, dealt with a serious illness in the offseason and injuries during the season. His second- and third-string backs, Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon, also dealt with injuries during the course of the year.

Lewis attacked those challenges head-on and his own unique coaching style really helped keep the group afloat all season long.

“He puts in the work to understand it, not only within himself, but he puts in the work to be able to communicate it to the players so that we understand it better,” Burton explained. “I think that’s one of his strengths, that he makes it very easy for us to understand. Whether it’s the run game, the pass game, the protection game – all of that stuff is communicated extremely well from Greg to us. It allows us to then go play fast, which makes our group better.”

Having been a former player himself, Lewis is able to relate to his players on a different level. That already gives him a bit of an advantage when it comes to communicating.

“He was a player himself,” Burton said. “So, he has that side of him that he can bring to us and (use) to help us. He’s been in our shoes before, which is just another addition that makes him such a great coach too. I can’t speak highly enough about him. It has been an unbelievable experience playing for him thus far.”

As players have returned to Kansas City for the offseason workout program, there is an air of excitement in the building, but especially in Lewis’ running back room. He has a full season of experience coaching the position group under his belt, plus some new faces in the room.

Burton anticipates that the Chiefs fans will be very pleased with the results on the field under Lewis in his second season as running backs coach. He’s quite excited to see it all come together himself.

“They can expect a great running back room,” Burton said. “Everyone competing, putting their work in. Everybody is just a joint committee of great, great backs. The addition of RoJo (Ronald Jones) has been great. We already have Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Derrick Gore. We have a stable of backs that can do a lot of different things. They’re all very versatile. They can catch the ball, they can run, pass protect. So, I am very excited for this group.

“And you know what else? They’re great teammates. They’re great people. They work, they sacrifice, it’s really important to them. So, I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this room. I’m very, very excited for the games to come and to watch these guys put it on live TV.”

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Chiefs coach was fined for Week 1 altercation with Browns Ronnie Harrison

Bringing closure to the Week 1 incident, the Chiefs assistant coach that pushed Harrison was reportedly fined for his actions after initial reports stated otherwise:

While the NFL is on to Week 3, we get a little bit of closure from a Week 1 incident that may have played a role in the Cleveland Browns loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

In that game, safety Ronnie Harrison was involved in a tackle on the sideline of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. During the physicality after the play, Harrison was pushed by Chiefs assistant coach Greg Lewis and then pushed the coach. Initially, the Chiefs sideline was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct but then the referees gathered and a decision was made to eject Harrison from the game.

The Browns went on to lose the game 33 – 29.

Harrison was also fined for his actions but initial reports were that Lewis was not. Earlier this week, Yahoo reported the NFLPA was informed that Lewis was in fact fined:

“It has been communicated to us that the Chiefs coach was fined by the NFL,” union president J.C. Tretter told Yahoo Sports on Monday.

While the fine does nothing to ease the frustration Harrison’s ejection caused, it brings closure to the incident.

Ronnie Harrison, Chiefs coach not expected to be suspended for incident

No suspensions looming for the Browns safety or Chiefs coach:

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. While the biggest loss may be the loss of left tackle Jedrick Wills to injury, depending on the length, the first loss came with the expulsion of safety Ronnie Harrison during the game.

During the incident that led to Harrison’s ejection, the Chiefs offensive play ended near their own sideline. As happens, a lot of people were in a very tight area. Harrison seemed to lose his balance leading to his foot on a Chiefs player when a Chiefs assistant coach came over and pushed the Browns player.

Initially, only the Chiefs were penalized but the referees then conferred before penalizing and ejected Cleveland’s safety.

Early Monday morning came a report that neither Harrison nor the Chiefs coach, Greg Lewis, will have a suspension coming out of the incident:

 

Any further loss of playing time for Harrison would be extreme given that he missed the majority of the game. Both Harrison and Lewis could still be fined for the incident, however.

Chiefs RB coach Greg Lewis details his switch from WR coach

#Chiefs RB coach Greg Lewis spoke with reporters for the first time since making his switch from WR coach. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff has been praised consistently throughout training camp by players for their preparation for the 2021 season approaches.

One of the many coaches and coordinators taking their best step forward in player development is running back coach Greg Lewis. The former NFL receiver enters the 2021 season with a new role serving as the running backs coach for the first time in his career. To this point in his career, Lewis had only ever coached receivers. Now, Lewis is taking on the new position with intense optimism.

Lewis shared his thoughts with reporters on Tuesday on making the coaching position switch.

”Well, I don’t see it as a challenge,” said Lewis. “I see all of us as football coaches and coaching football. For me, it’s understanding the different aspect of the game to be able to bring the different aspect to the running back room and give them a different outlook. Obviously, I haven’t played running back, but I understand football, and I’ve been around great football players, great coaches, and I think I’m going to bring some more insight to just help them develop and help us be better as a group.”

Lewis spent the last four seasons in Kansas City as the wide receivers coach helping the team earn a Super Bowl title in the process. He detailed the differences between the new role and his previous role.

”Because I’m in it,” said Lewis. “Obviously, I knew what the receivers had to do previously, but understanding the blocking schemes, understanding the reads, the cuts, the footwork that is necessary. It’s been a positive for me. Just growing my game as a coach and being able to adapt to a different setting has been awesome for me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity that Coach Reid and EB (Eric Bieniemy) have blessed me with.”

The project set in front of Lewis during training camp was the evolution of second-year RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He commented on the task, focusing more on the fundamentals and seeing significant progress, rather than specifically pass-catching.

”I’m not intent on getting him involved in the passing game,” said Lewis. ”I just want him to be a better player, and I want him to grow. Just like when I was with the receivers, I wanted them to grow each and every year. So, whatever we need to work on, we’re going to develop that and get better and hopefully help us have success during the season.”

As good as the play those in the running back room has been, improvement is a priority for the team. Lewis has seen his unit improve throughout training camp, from route-running to the protection of star QB Patrick Mahomes.

“I see improvements with all the guys,” said Lewis. “I think all the guys have really homed in on catching the ball, looking it in, running good routes, and it’s been a positive. But that’s not to take away from their running; they’ve also done a tremendous job with that part of it. And pass protection is very important for us here; we want to keep Pat (Mahomes) clean, and that’s our job to do that too. So, there’s a lot involved in the running back position, not just getting out and running routes. It’s protections; it’s runs, it’s understanding everything that’s going on basically from a quarterback’s perspective.”

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