Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, a hot commodity on the
NFL coaching carousel a year ago but seemingly forgotten during 2002's
round of musical chairs, will interview for the Carolina Panthers vacancy,
ESPN.com has learned.
Lewis was to meet Tuesday evening with Panthers management, with the possibility the interview could carry over into Wednesday.
The team sought and was granted permission by the Ravens, and the interview comes in the wake of the decision by former Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy to pass on the Panthers' offer and accept the head coaching job with the Indianapolis Colts.
New York Giants defensive coordinator John Fox, who interviewed with Carolina
last week, is now the frontrunner for the Panthers job, but team sources
said Lewis could force the Panthers into a difficult decision between
himself and Fox with an impressive interview.
Lewis said he was "pleased" to have the opportunity to interview for the job
and confident that he was well-prepared for the meeting.
One of the NFL's most respected assistant coaches, Lewis will be the third
minority candidate to interview for the Carolina vacancy, joining New York
Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and Dungy. The Panthers fired coach
George Seifert on Jan. 7, the day after the regular season ended.
"I would hope that Marvin isn't just an afterthought in this process," said
Ray Anderson, agent for Lewis. "Having dealt with Carolina ownership in
negotiations for Tony Dungy, I found them to be honest and forthright and
open-minded. So I think Marvin will get a legitimate shot there. The thing
that is puzzling is that, after last year, it took him so long to get a call."
One hurdle for Lewis was that the Ravens were in the playoffs and teams
seeking new coaches could not contact him until Baltimore was eliminated.
There was a perception, though, that Lewis didn't do as good a job with the
Ravens defense in 2001, a suggestion some NFL sources said on Tuesday was
ridiculous.
Noted one general manager: "What, did the guy suddenly get stupid in one
year? He's no less a good coach now than he was this time a year ago."
Under his stewardship, the Baltimore defense set a record in 2000 for the
fewest points allowed in a 16-game season. Lewis interviewed for the Buffalo
Bills vacancy last year, but the job instead went to Gregg Williams.
Lewis, 43, broke into the league in 1992 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then
moved to the Ravens in 1996. Last month he turned down the head coaching job
at the University of California, citing his desire to pursue an NFL job.
Fox, who also interviewed for the Buffalo job a year ago, is expected to
meet again with Panthers officials, likely in Charlotte, later this week.
The Panthers, who had to pay Seifert $5 million for the remaining two years
of his contract, are said to be prepared to offer his successor only about
$1 million to $1.5 million annually on a five-year deal.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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