ESPN is offering conflicting reports about whether Ray Lewis is a candidate for the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic University.
FAU fired Tom Herman earlier this week after the team had gone 6-16 during his tenure and 0-6 in conference play in the AAC this season.
Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported a candidate to replace Herman from out of left field.
“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,” Schefter wrote on X.
Nevertheless, an un-bylined story on ESPN.com quickly refuted Schefter’s report.
“However, other sources told ESPN that FAU is not expected to hire the former Baltimore Ravens linebacker,” the report said.
Lewis, 49, won two Super Bowls with the Ravens and is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players of all-time.
As CBS college football reporter John Talty pointed out, Lewis taking over a Division I job with no prior head coaching experience would not be totally analogous to Sanders, who coached in high school and had success coaching at the HBCU Jackson State before ascending into the Colorado job.
“Ray Lewis hasn’t coached at any level. Deion is the exception, not the rule, on high-profile athlete making the jump to coaching,” Talty wrote.
Sanders also benefits from having a son, Shedeur, at quarterback who is likely a first-round NFL draft pick.
FAU athletic director Brian White touted lofty expectations in his statement announcing Herman’s firing earlier this week.
“I extend my appreciation to Tom Herman for his dedication to our university and our student-athletes,” White said. “I informed Tom of my decision this morning and then met with the staff and team. We firmly believe in our ability to win championships and compete for bowl games, and that remains our standard.”