Six years later, the Falcons finally manage to hire Tim Lewis
This one looks a little odd. The Falcons pushed aside the Hall of Famer Emmitt Thomas as their defensive backs coach and — as reported Monday by esteemed colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter — hired Tim Lewis, who has been fired three times in six years. But the Falcons don’t see it as odd. The Falcons have, you should know, liked Lewis for a long time.
Indeed, the Falcons interviewed Lewis for their head coaching vacancy in January 2004 and seriously considered hiring him. (More seriously than they considered Lovie Smith, who would be named the NFL’s coach of the year in 2005 and would take Chicago to the Super Bowl the next season.) Rich McKay, who headed the search, and Arthur Blank thought Lewis was smart and committed and organized, but they had one problem.
He’d just been fired by Bill Cowher as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator.
If you’re looking for a guy to replace the famous Dan Reeves, it’s a tougher sell to your paying public if said guy has been canned by his previous employer. (The idea is to hire a hot coach, not a cold one.) So the Falcons went with Jim Mora, with whom they were also impressed. He lasted three years.
Lewis has since made the rounds. He was the Giants’ defensive coordinator from 2004 through 2006 and got fired by Tom Coughlin in January 2007. He worked as Carolina’s secondary coach for two seasons and managed not to get fired. He moved to Seattle to work as DBs coach under Mora last season — small world, isn’t it? — and three weeks ago both were out of work.
And now, six years later, the Falcons have hired Tim Lewis. The search this time was headed by Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith, who aren’t easily impressed, and the job is fairly essential. The Falcons ranked 28th in a 32-team league against the pass in 2009 and have a slew of young defensive backs — Thomas DeCoud, Brent Grimes, Chris Houston, William Moore, Christopher Owens — who need instruction.
This, in sum, is a hire that needs to work. I’m guessing it will.
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93 comments Add your comment
PMC
January 26th, 2010
9:10 am
Mark the questions you need to ask at FB is why Tim Lewis? Why now and why is Tim Lewis an upgrade over Emmitt Thomas? Thomas has been here a while so perhaps they just wanted a fresh message but Tim Lewis does not have a track record of being one of the better secondary coaches in football… he’s moved around quite a bit.
What is it about Tim Lewis that makes the Falcons brass believe he’s a better fit than Emmitt Thomas?
PMC
January 26th, 2010
9:13 am
I’m leery of any football decision having anything to do with Rich Mckay and football “knowledge”.
Let's Go
January 26th, 2010
9:23 am
The Defensive Backs are only as good as the pass rush. Both Seattle and Atlanta had a terrible pass rush last year. You can have 4 Darrelle Revis’s in the secondary but if a quarterback get’s enough time he will still pick you apart. A position coach is there to teach the guys to play smart, identify bad habits and correct them, and try a mold young players into good players. If he can do this with the young group the falcons have this will be a great hire.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 26th, 2010
10:06 am
Ask him where he stands on painting a little dog’s a$$.
FALCONS SORRY
January 26th, 2010
10:25 am
TIM LEWIS! MY MAN! SOME BODY NEED TO TELL YOU THAT YOU JUST CLIMB ON BOARD THE TITANIC AND THE ICE BURGH THAT IS GOING TO SINK THE BOAT IS IS DEAD AHEAD! THE CAPTAIN AND SORRY OWNER OF THIS FRANCHISE WILL SMILE TO YOUR FACE LIKE IT ALL GOOD AND THEN STAB YOU IN THE BACK THE FIRST CHANGE HE GET! YOU SEE HOW THIS TEAM GOT RID OF IT STAR QB! AND THEY JUST THROWED THE HALL OF FAME MAN ET EMMITT THOMAS UNDER THE BUS TOO BECAUSE THAT IS HOW THEY DO THERE EMPLOYEE THERE IN FLOWER BRANCH! WITH THIS TEAM RUNNING THE TIRES OFF IT FRANCHISE RUNNING BACK AND HAVING AN OVER THE HILL TIGHT END THAT DONT EAT NO MEAT LIKE A REAL MAN SHOULD AND HAVING A WEAK ARM SISSY BOY FOR A QB WHO IS FULL OF # 2 JUST LIKE IT SAY ON HIS JERSEY AND NOT BEING WILLING TO SPEND ANY MONEY ON GOOD DEFENSIVE PLAYER THIS TEAM IS HEADED BACK TO THE BASE MENT OF THE NFL AT FULL SPRINT! THIS TEAM WASTED 10 OR 12 YEAR OF KIETH BROOKINGS WHO DIDNT DO ANY THING BUT SMILE FOR THE CAMERA AND PET HIS DOG AND JUMP ON THE PILE AFTER THE PLAY DONE OVER! RENT DONT BUY IN THIS TOWN TL! RENT DONT BUY! IF YOU DO BUY MAKE SURE YOU DONE TRY TO IMPROVE YOUR CRIB NONE BY GOING TO HOME DEPOT TO HELP MAKE THAT SNAKE AUTHUR BLANK ANY MORE MONEY BECAUSE THAT CROOK DONE GOT TOO MUCH ALREADY! HE ALSO GOT HIS 30 PEACE OF SILVER WHEN HE SOLD OUT MV7 TO THE FED!
todd grantham
January 26th, 2010
11:02 am
Mark, do you consider this move an upgrade to the coaching staff?
cdog
January 26th, 2010
11:07 am
great point lets go.unless you have deion sanders or champ bailey at the corners you need to put pressure on the qb. even though the jets were handed a playoff spot by the league, look what they did when they got into the playoffs. that was vintage buddy ryan defense by his son. the falcons defense give teams too much respect. they sit back, never put pressure on qbs especially if the qb suppose to be a top notch. we need a buddy ryan type of coordinator so his toughness will rub off on the players.grea hire in tim lewis though.
todd grantham
January 26th, 2010
11:07 am
Christmas comes but once a year. the same number of days the AJC blogs server works properly.
Rufus
January 26th, 2010
11:14 am
Emmitt was old and done. Go enjoy retirement Emmitt.
Mr. Thomas Anthony "The Taxman Cometh" Jones,SR (Waf-SS, Lt. Col. 13th SS Panzer Division, based in Breman, Germany,/ret.)
January 26th, 2010
11:14 am
Why was Hall of Famer Mr. Emmett Thomas fired by those backstabbing Atlanta Vulures? I don’t like any this. Looks to me like the Falcons are tryin to make a scapegoatout of Mr. Emmett Thomas. I think the NFL ahould investigate the entire Falcons organization to why they treat players and assistant coaches like trash.
First they backstab Mr. Michael Vick, Mr. Warrick Dunn. and Mr. D’Angelo Hall. Then they dump a qualirty coach like Hall of Famer mr. Emmit Thomas. The Atlanta Vultures are bunch of backstanners and liars.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
January 26th, 2010
11:26 am
A few folks (and many of you know exactly who I am referring to) posting on this blog need to either proof read their comment(s) or have someone else do it for them if you are too dumb to handle that task.
Because when you don’t, you let EVERYONE know how uneducated/undereducated you really are. Just an observation…….So…instead of spending time typing incorrect sentences/phrases on the AJC blogs, may I suggest that you spend the time at one of the local technical schools that teach “FREE” remedial English and grammar courses.
EDUCATION IS STILL A KEY METHOD TO IMPROVE ONE’S OWN SITUATION. Once you accomplish this, you might not have to live vicariously through others continuing to constantly make excuses for THEIR ACTIONS AND DECISIONS. Hint…Hint!!!!!
Ivan
January 26th, 2010
11:47 am
Like I said on Ledbetter’s blog, all we can do is wait and see. The pass defense has nowhere to go but up.
Ivan
January 26th, 2010
11:52 am
Someone write Mr. Thomas Anthony a prescription……for anything.
THWG
January 26th, 2010
12:00 pm
this guy is a bad omen. he gets people canned.
Mark proof read “He last three years”
Did you learn ebonics at UK? 
Marcus
January 26th, 2010
12:02 pm
maybe Coach T. Lewis is a better coach 1-2 levels down from top than being THE MAN or the man next to THE MAN (Wade Phillips syndrome)
Interested to see if his style of coaching influences which DB we select in the 2010 draft.
Marcus
January 26th, 2010
12:08 pm
We all make mistakes, esp. typos, and the fact that this thing has no “spell check” or edit feature to correct posts magnifies the issue.
Even on message boards with edit features, I constantly review and edit my posts for sentence flow, structure, and just plain thinking faster than I can type.
Back to Falcons … Mayock seemed to like Boise State CB Kyle Wilson in yesterday nites’ NFL Network Senior Bowl review. Looks like there could be some viable candidates falling down to the 19th spot…it all depends on who TD/Smitty like.
suwaneedawg
January 26th, 2010
12:52 pm
If Coach and TD like this guy and think he is the man to coach up our young secondary then I am fine with the hire. They will need to add a veteran from the free agent market but, I think we will be improved. If not then his stay here will be short lived and we can question the decision. I have great faith in our decision making as an organization now. Can’t wait for the draft.
Kevin
January 26th, 2010
12:54 pm
Coaching isn’t going to change lack of play making ability in the secondary.
Brooking 56
January 26th, 2010
1:49 pm
How much you want to bet they told E. Thomas it’s a young mans game? Any takers?
Brett Favre
January 26th, 2010
2:12 pm
When Mike Vick stands next to me he shakes like a dog crappin peach seeds. I am THE man. Lewis is gonna ask for my advice I bet.
My illegitimate son Tim Tebow had a bad day yesterday at the NFL workouts……don’t worry he will break lose in the coming days. he’s a balla like his gooch daddy BF!
#1 Falcon Fan
January 26th, 2010
2:14 pm
It doesn’t matter who the Falcons hire as the secondary coach..if we don’t get a pass rush, then the pass defense will still rank 28th or lower in 2010. WAKE UP PEOPLE…your pass defense is only as good as your pass rush!!!!!! Want to make a difference with our pass defense, go out and sign Julius Peppers, Richard Seymour, Jared Allen, or some other pro-bowl DE that can get pressure on the QB!
Brett Favre
January 26th, 2010
2:37 pm
Amen #1 Falcon Fan!! If you don’t put my butt on the ground I am going to eat you alive! You gotta gave the rush to break the tempo. I am so awesome!
Alan
January 26th, 2010
2:54 pm
T.D. and Smitty know better than any of you blithering idiots, wake up, we are on a run and thats something we have never had. I would like to think that you are looking forward to next year yet I think you are looking forward to having something else to complain about.
Elvisinthehouse
January 26th, 2010
2:56 pm
Who cares about the sorry falcon and there double sorry band wagon confused fans.
Alan
January 26th, 2010
2:56 pm
Thanks Emmitt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken Strickland
January 26th, 2010
4:06 pm
You can’t always judge a coach’s ability to coach based on him having been fired. Before becoming the Patriots HC, Bill Belicheck was fired by the lowly Cleveland Browns, and before becoming the Colt’s HC, Tony Dungy was fired by Tampa Bay. Well, look at how great all of this turned out for the teams that managed to ignore the past.
FranktheFalcon
January 26th, 2010
4:08 pm
I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THOMAS DIMITROFF AND COACH SMITH THAT WE ARE GETTING THE BEST FIT FOR OUR ORGANIZATION. I AM REAL PROUD OF WHAT THE FALCONS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SINCE THOSE TWO HAVE JOINED OUR ORGANIZATION. THE FUTURE LOOKS VERY BRIGHT FOR OUR FALCONS!!!
Kane337
January 26th, 2010
4:21 pm
Fix the freakin’ pass rush and the secondary will look 100x better.
AceDawg
January 26th, 2010
4:59 pm
The Falcons need to be diligent, but getting last year’s injured guys healthy this year would already make them better, and a big free agent or two would make them a solid defense under Van Gorder and Smith. I believe in the coaching and think it’s as easy as getting better players.
LJ
January 26th, 2010
5:39 pm
@Bugkiller,
Duh, you are missing the point. The plan is to fire Lewis after next season, which means SB Championship in 2012 LOL!!!!!!!!
mars
January 26th, 2010
7:07 pm
Grab a stick! That horse ain’t dead yet! I just saw it move!
nntri
January 26th, 2010
10:05 pm
Falcons forever if you don’t like the birds move on, we have made great improvements. We are moving in the right direction, enjoy the ride…
Ivan
January 26th, 2010
10:08 pm
*Grabs stick*
I’m on it!
neil
January 27th, 2010
12:25 am
fired as the steelers D-coordinator? funny i thought some guy named Dick Lebeau has held that post for more than a decade! get your facts straight bradley, you suck at your job.
Really?
January 27th, 2010
9:23 am
Is someone really trying to defend Foxworth? haha.
PREACHER
January 27th, 2010
9:41 am
In spite of all the injuries the Falcon’s encoutered, in spite of the lost of 5 d starters from the previous previous year: In spite of a field goal kicker giving away at least 2 games and most say’s 3. The Falcon’s record was 9-7 which should have easily been 11-5 or 12-4 and off to the play offs if these chip shot field goals would have been made. These young d backs jelled into solid players at the ending of the season with three strait impressive wins. Believe me these coaches know what they are doing
PaulWinchester
January 27th, 2010
1:08 pm
Ok Brother, I agree with you. The Falcon franchise treats people horribly. Look at how they treated Matt Schaub. Schaub was and still is a sure-fire HOF talent, yet the Falcons coaches and management couldnt recognize it. Vick was struggling for seven years to learn how to throw the deep ball and Schaub came in one preseason game and was throwing the ball downfield ALL GAME. Schaub was rifiling passes like they came out of a cannon and he was throwing with pin-point percision (best I had ever seen) and Ive seen all the great ones (Farve, Fouts, Marino, Bradshaw, Namath, Unitas, etc.). Schaub throws the football better than all those guys that I mentioned; yet the Falcons brass didnt know he should be the starter. Why? Because Arthur Blank had stupidly already given Mike Vick a record contract of $250 million and was personally pushing him around in his wheel chair. The Falcons refused to give Schaub the starting falcon job even though Vick was locked up in a federal penitentiary. The Falcons instead traded Schaub away for just about nothing. Schaub got the last laugh though. This season Schaub got vindication for how rotten he was treated in Atlanta. Schaub led the Texans to a winning record of 9-7; and although the Texans failed to make the playoffs, Schaub outgunned ALL NFL QUARTERBACKS and passed for more yards than Peyton Manning, Drew Brees AND Brett Farve. Schaub was the most prolific passer in the nfl this year and will be rewarded by being the starting qb in the pro bowl. Yes Sir. Matt Schaub was our property but we were too blind to see how good he was. Schaub was a great one and I hope he plays long enough to get into the hall of fame where he belongs.
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
January 27th, 2010
1:38 pm
I don’t mind the Saints going to the Super Bowl (after we did). I just don’t want them to win it (before we do).
Go Colts!
Go Falcons!!
WinnieMatheson
January 27th, 2010
3:00 pm
If the Saints win a superbowl this year, they will have won 1 before us. If that happens, you can thank Eugene Robinson for soliticing a prostitute on Superbowl Eve in 1999 for the Saints getting to the Lombardy trophy before us. The Falcons would have gotten to a Lombardy trophy (superbowl championship trophy) back in 1999 when they were in the superbowl. However, Eugene Robinson (who was given the man of the year award) earlier that season for having the best character of anyone in the league. But somehow, someway Robinson messed up the night before and that superbowl game while that fiasco became a DISTRACTION, it caused the Falcons to lose to the Denver Broncos and John Ellway. What most fans dont remember and dont realize is that the Falcons CRUSHED THE BRONCOS DURING THE REGULAR SEASON THAT YEAR. They would have done it again in the superbowl because it would have been more of the same. They knew how to beat them, they had already done it, and they would have beaten them a second time. When they beat the Broncos during the regular season, the Falcons thoroughly and completely dominated them, repeadedly getting to John Ellway. Coach Dan Reeves allowed Eugene Robinson to play in the superbowl and Robinson kept getting beat all afternoon. I hope the Saints dont win because I think the Saints are cowards and all hype. They proved in the championship game against Minnesota that they couldnt convert a 1st down from 3rd down situation in the second half of that contest. They were exposed for what they are: cowards. They fumbled the ball alot and mishandled the rock alot but they kept recovering their own fumbles so they were only charged with one turnover. The Saints stink and will get clobbered by the Colts.
Shelby
January 28th, 2010
12:03 pm
You can’t base what he can do in ATL on what he did somewhere else. Its a different team, different players, and a different atmosphere…. give him the benefit of the doubt….if he doesn’t produce, they won’t keep him around….
Getting to Know Tim Lewis
February 10th, 2010
3:14 pm
[...] Lewis, a 15-year veteran of NFL coaching, has a sister in the city. His father-in-law also lives in the are and his brother, Will, served as an assistant coach under June Jones with the Falcons in 1995 and 1996. You may also remember Lewis’ name floating around the media during the team’s head coach…. [...]
Six years later, the Falcons finally manage to hire Tim Lewis … | NFL Topics Blog
February 13th, 2010
3:59 pm
[...] D. Orlando Ledbetter wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Mark Bradley writes that new Falcons assistant coach Tim Lewis was considered a serious candidate to joing the Falcons as head coach back in 2004. [...]
Lewis brings experience with Falcons scheme | Atlanta Falcons
July 22nd, 2010
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[...] He was also interviewed for the Falcons head coaching job in 2004. [...]