Kent State football coach Sean Lewis reportedly headed to Colorado

Kent State coach Sean Lewis looks toward the scoreboard during Kent State’s game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.

Jacob Hansen and Isabella Schreck, Reporter, Sports Editor
December 5, 2022

Kent State football coach Sean Lewis will reportedly be leaving for the University of Colorado, as reported by Pete Thamel, a college football senior writer from ESPN.

Lewis, who renewed his contract with Kent State through the 2025 season, is slated to be Colorado’s next offensive coordinator under Deion Sanders, who was hired as head coach Dec. 3. 

Dan Griffin, Kent State’s director of athletic communications, did not confirm Lewis’ departure when KentWired reached out for comment from the university on the report.

Because of the terms of Lewis’ contract extension, announced by Kent State’s athletic department on August 21, the move will cost Lewis, or Colorado, $750,000 to buy out the remainder of his contract. 

Thamel was told by sources that Kent State officials will reinvest the buyout money into the football program. 

Sanders, an NFL Hall of Famer, left Jackson State University, his first college coaching stint, after posting a 27-5 record.

Lewis became Kent State’s head coach on Dec. 17, 2017 and recorded a 24-31 record overall and 19-20 in the Mid-American Conference during his tenure. 

In December 2021, Lewis took the Flashes to their first MAC East Division title game since 2012. Kent State lost to Northern Illinois, 41-23.

Head coach Sean Lewis rings the Starner Victory Bell to celebrate the Kent State Football team beating Miami University and advancing to the MAC championship.

The Flashes won the Frisco Bowl, the program’s first-ever bowl victory, in 2019. That was Kent State’s first bowl appearance since 2012. His team finished with a 7-6 record overall and 5-3 in the MAC that year, its best under Lewis. 

Before coming to Kent State, Lewis was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Syracuse from 2016-2017.  He was a co-offensive coordinator at Bowling Green from 2014-2015 and was a tight end coach and inside receivers coach at Eastern Illinois.

Lewis was a tight end and quarterback at Wisconsin, where he was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.

Lewis’ possible departure comes after junior wide receiver Dante Cephas, who recorded the second-most receiving yards for Kent State this season, announced his decision to enter the transfer portal.

Jacob Hansen is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected]. 

Isabella Schreck is sports editor. Contact her at [email protected].