If Florida Atlantic University is eyeing Ray Lewis as its next head football coach, the school is keeping it well under wraps. ESPN's Adam Schefter dropped a bombshell Wednesday morning, reporting that Lewis had emerged as a candidate for the FAU job following the dismissal of head coach Tom Herman. But almost as quickly as the report surfaced, others shot it down.
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Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports cited sources close to the FAU search saying the idea of Lewis coaching the Owls is "not happening." CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz added that there's been no direct communication between FAU officials and Lewis, calling the chances of him landing the job "highly unlikely." That puts Schefter, one of the most trusted insiders in sports, in an unusual position—his report isn't aligning with what others are hearing.
The intrigue doesn't stop there. Ray Lewis, an NFL icon and Hall of Famer, carries a complex legacy. On the field, he's one of the greatest linebackers in league history. Off it, his name is tied to a 2000 murder trial in Atlanta, where he was initially charged in connection with the deaths of two men. Those charges were later dropped in exchange for a plea to a misdemeanor obstruction of justice.
It's plausible FAU had some level of interest in Lewis, but given his controversial past, the school could be hesitant to let that go public. Or perhaps Lewis's name simply surfaced in speculation, with no real traction behind it. Either way, all signs point to Lewis remaining on the outside looking in.
For now, it seems FAU's next move will be a quieter one—without the splash or scrutiny that would come with hiring Ray Lewis.
