The San Francisco 49ers coaching staff is a work in progress now that Chip Kelly has been hired. One coach that the secondary seemed to like, but might not be back is defensive backs coach Tim Lewis. FOX Sports NFL reporter Alex Marvez is reporting the Cincinnati Bengals are interviewing Lewis for the same position. The Bengals lost DB coach Vance Joseph to a defensive coordinator role with the Miami Dolphins.
Lewis joined the 49ers this past season following five years with the Atlanta Falcons. He served as defensive backs coach there, and before that in Seattle and Carolina. prior to that, he had seven years experience as a defensive coordinator with the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Free safety Eric Reid gave Lewis an endorsement for the 49ers defensive coordinator role:
I vote Tim Lewis #DC
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) January 14, 2016
Eric Mangini is technically still under contract as the 49ers defensive coordinator, as far as I know. It is possible the 49ers already let him out of his contract. It is also possible Chip Kelly will at least speak to him about the role. I imagine we'll find out for certain in the coming days leading up to Chip Kelly's eventual first press conference next week.
Fooch's note: Shortly before publishing, I came across this tweet from Albert Breer. It looks like Tim Lewis has competition.
The Bengals, looking to fill out their staff, are pursuing Michigan secondary coach Greg Jackson to replace Vance Joseph.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 15, 2016