Ray Lewis to FAU? Why Ravens legend could follow Deion Sanders route into coaching | Sporting News

Could Ray Lewis be the next gridiron icon to pop up on a college sideline? Conflicting reports emerged Wednesday suggesting Lewis was a candidate to make that leap.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the 17-year NFL veteran had garnered interest from Florida Atlantic after the program made a change at the head-coaching position Monday.

Lewis, 49, is one of football's greatest leaders, having spearhead the Ravens to unprecedented success during his tenure with the franchise.

Given the success of Deion Sanders at Colorado, it's easy to see the appeal of a bombastic personality like Lewis.

But are those rumors rooted in reality? The Sporting News fills you in.

MORE: Could Deion Sanders leave Colorado for the NFL? Ray Lewis to FAU rumors, explained On Wednesday morning, Schefter reported that Lewis had emerged as a potential candidate for Florida Atlantic's head coaching vacancy.

CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz countered the claim, instead revealing that Lewis was unlikely to receive the head coaching gig.

In fact, the former Ravens star was not in communication with FAU, per Zenitz.

That report was backed up by Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post, who said FAU won't interview Lewis for the position.

Florida Atlantic parted ways with second-year boss Tom Herman on Wednesday after a 6-16 record across two seasons in Boca Raton.

The program is on the hook for more than $4 million after buying out the rest of Herman's contract.

Where did Ray Lewis go to college? Lewis is quite familiar with Florida football, having shined at the collegiate level in the Sunshine State.

He was a standout at Miami (FL), twice capturing All-American honors and finishing as a runner-up in Butkus Award voting given to the nation's best collegiate linebacker in 1995.

Lewis left Vice City as a star.

The Ravens made the then-20 year old their second-ever draft pick, selecting Lewis 26th overall in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft.

MORE: Why Shedeur Sanders will play in East-West Shrine Bowl Ray Lewis coaching history Lewis has no coaching experience in college football.

Since retiring in 2013, Lewis has worked in media.

Ray Lewis-Deion Sanders comparisons, explained Lewis and Sanders are alike in more ways than one.

Both Pro Football Hall of Famers hail from Florida and starred at Florida colleges before embarking on legendary professional careers.

Their post-playing careers followed a similar path, with both Lewis and Sanders making their marks as television analysts.

If the Owls were to give Lewis the reins to their program, they'd certainly be hoping for a Sanders-like renaissance.

The Colorado skipper had limited coaching experience all of which came at the high school level prior to landing his first coaching gig at Jackson State.

Fueled by his impressive accolades and an eye for recruiting few in the college game could match, Sanders propelled the Tigers to the upper echelons of SWAC before setting sail for the Buffaloes.

Now in Year 2 at Folsom Field, Colorado finds itself in a race for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Any chance of FAU walking a similar path with Lewis appears unfounded for now.

Though the team will hope it can make a Sanders-like jump with whoever it hires as its next head coach..

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