Texas Tech is making a notable addition to its defensive coaching staff, hiring Colorado defensive line coach and former Miami Hurricane standout Damione Lewis as its new defensive tackles coach. The move signals a commitment by head coach Joey McGuire to continue strengthening the Red Raiders’ defensive front with NFL experience and high-level recruiting acumen.
Lewis brings a wealth of knowledge to Lubbock, not just from his time coaching at the college level, but also from his impressive playing career. A first-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, Lewis spent 10 seasons in the league with teams like the St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Houston Texans. That professional pedigree gives him instant credibility in the locker room and on the recruiting trail.
His coaching résumé includes a recent stint at Colorado under Deion Sanders, where he worked to develop a young Buffaloes defensive front during a transitional year. Prior to that, Lewis served in off-field roles at FIU and his alma mater, Miami, gaining valuable experience as a technician and mentor for up-and-coming players. His return to coaching on the field with Texas Tech marks a continued rise in his post-playing career trajectory.
At Texas Tech, Lewis will focus on developing the interior of the Red Raiders’ defensive line, an area that has been steadily improving under McGuire’s regime. His NFL background and attention to detail should help refine the technique and motor of Tech’s interior linemen, while also serving as a strong selling point in recruiting battles across Texas and beyond.
Lewis is also a familiar name to many college football fans from his time at the University of Miami, where he was a dominant defensive lineman for the Hurricanes during the late 1990s. His connection to The U — long known for producing elite defensive talent — adds another layer of credibility to a staff already full of energetic, player-focused coaches.
This hire fits the mold of McGuire’s recent staff additions: high-energy coaches with a blend of NFL experience and recruiting upside. As Texas Tech continues to push toward Big 12 contention, bringing in a coach like Damione Lewis could pay dividends both on the field and in the living rooms of future recruits.
With spring practices underway and the 2025 season fast approaching, all eyes will be on how quickly Lewis can make his mark in the trenches for the Red Raiders.
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