Former NFL running back Dion Lewis, an Albany native who won a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots, is joining the University at Albany football staff as assistant running backs coach.
Lewis, 32, retired in August 2021 after a 10-year NFL career which he spent with six teams. He has a relationship with UAlbany head coach Greg Gattuso that began when Lewis played at the University of Pittsburgh and Gattuso was defensive line coach there.
“It’s great to be back in the Capital Region,” Lewis said Friday in a UAlbany news release. “I’m extremely grateful to join the Great Dane family. I’d like to extend my thanks to Coach Gattuso, the entire football staff, and (athletic director) Mark Benson for welcoming me. I’m excited to get to work and hit the ground running with this group.”
Lewis attended UAlbany’s pro day workout on Thursday at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie.
Lewis, an Albany Academy alumnus, rushed for 2,425 yards and 13 touchdowns during his NFL career. He played for the Patriots when they beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime in the Super Bowl following the 2016 season. He ended his career with the New York Giants in 2020.
“We’re very excited to add Dion to our staff,” Gattuso said. “He’s a great individual, I’ve known him since our time at Pittsburgh together. He’s bringing a wealth of experience from the NFL with him that will really help our team, and our backfield specifically.”
Lewis was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after midnight in Guilderland on Dec. 19, 2021.Â
At the time, Lewis had recently been named Albany County’s community health wellness coordinator. Mary Rozak, Albany County’s director of communications, said Friday Lewis stopped working for the county sometime last year, but couldn’t find the date.
Â
Read the full article here