Biography

Tim Lewis made an immediate impact in the Falcons secondary in his first season in Atlanta in 2010. One of the many areas where his presence was strongly felt was in rapid development of CB Brent Grimes.

Lewis’ meticulous work with Grimes vaulted the former small school product from Shippensburg from a potential starter in the preseason into a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl squad. Arguably the best athlete on the team, Grimes emerged through Lewis’ help to set a new team record for passes defensed in a season with 23. He was targeted 113 times by opposing quarterbacks and fought through that barrage to emerge as a dependable starter in a revamped Falcons secondary. Grimes showcased his talents and made Lewis look good by picking off a pass in the Pro Bowl.

Lewis was charged with rebuilding a unit with three new full-time starters last year. The addition of talented corner Dunta Robinson via free agency, along with Grimes, and the promotion of the hard-hitting William Moore to the strong safety spot, Lewis molded a young group together which was learning and getting better with each game.

Through the steady direction supplied by Lewis, Grimes and Moore tied for team lead with five interceptions. Grimes was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week (15) after he caused two turnovers, including a pass theft, along with five passes defensed, to help the Falcons notch a 34-18 win at Seattle. Moore finished third on team in tackles with a career-high 108.

Robinson amassed 60 tackles, seven passes defensed and one interception. The last member of the starting defensive backfield was dependable free safety Thomas DeCoud. The former third round pick from Cal quarterbacked the secondary for Lewis and ended up second on the club in stops with 113 to tie his personal-best.

Toward the end of the 2010 campaign, continuity and consistency began to take shape and this hungry secondary will no doubt become even more cohesive and disruptive with another year under the guiding hand of Lewis.

Lewis brings 16 years of NFL coaching experience to the Falcons secondary. Lewis is known around the League for his expertise in the coverage and pressure package fields as he has served as either a Defensive Backs Coach or Defensive Coordinator throughout his entire coaching tenure.

Lewis began his pro career serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Backs Coach for five seasons (1995-99) before being named Defensive Coordinator over the next four years. His defense ranked seventh overall in his first season as coordinator and jumped to lead the League in total defense in 2001. In 2002 and 2003, his unit also finished in the NFL’s top 10, giving him four-consecutive top-10 finishes as a Defensive Coordinator. Lewis coached the likes of cornerback Rod Woodson in Pittsburgh for two seasons (1995-96). In ’96, the Hall of Famer contributed with six interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 19 passes defensed.

Following his coaching stint with the Steelers, Lewis spent three years as Defensive Coordinator with the New York Giants. In 2005, his defense did not allow a touchdown in a span that covered 15 quarters and 53 opponent possessions. During his three-year tenure, the Giants ranked sixth in the NFC in opponents passing yards per attempt average (6.79) and second in the conference in opponent passing plays of 25-plus yards allowed. In 2004, New York ranked fifth in the NFC in total defense allowing an average of 339.8 yards per game.

Lewis’ coaching career started as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M in 1987 under Jackie Sherrill, who was his coach as a player at the University of Pittsburgh. Following two seasons with the Aggies, he spent four years (1989-92) as the Defensive Backs Coach at Southern Methodist University. After his stint in Dallas at SMU, Lewis joined legendary coach Johnny Majors at his alma mater for two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh.

Lewis was the 11th overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He played four seasons for the Packers and twice led or shared the team lead in interceptions before his career was cut short due to a neck injury suffered in the third game of the 1986 season against the Chicago Bears. He finished his career with 16 interceptions in 51 games, including a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Rams on November 18, 1984 to set a Packers record.

Tim’s brother, Will, is the Seahawks Vice President of Football Operations. He and his wife, Shawn, have two daughters, Erin and Chelsea, and a son, Bryce.

Tim Lewis' Coaching Background

• 2010-2011 -- Secondary // Falcons
• 2009 -- Defensive Backs // Seahawks
• 2007-2008 -- Secondary // Panthers
• 2004-2006 -- Defensive Coordinator // Giants
• 2000-2003 -- Defensive Coordinator // Steelers
• 1995-1999 -- Defensive Backs // Steelers
• 1993-1994 -- Defensive Backs // Univ. of Pittsburgh
• 1989-1992 -- Defensive Backs // Southern Methodist
• 1987-1988 -- Graduate Assistant // Texas A&M