SICAMUA TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Lots of laughs, smiles and stories were shared at the 41st annual Moeller High School Sports Tournament held on March 20th.
It was a memorable trip for longtime Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. He was the featured guest speaker at the event at Morraz Brisbane Family Education Center.
“It was actually a lot of fun,” Lewis told WCPO 9 before the event. “You get to see a lot of friends, etc. And obviously what Mueller means to the Cincinnati high school sports community. I've lived as close to Mueller here as I have, and now Jonathan (Hayes) is the athletic director. I know his sons. Jay (Jonathan's younger brother, Jay Hayes)'s sons went through here at Mueller, so it's great.”
Lewis, who was named assistant head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this year, coached the Bengals for 16 seasons (2003-2018). Moeller's athletic director, Jonathan Hayes, was the Bengals' tight ends coach from 2003 to 2018.
Tammy Rosenfelt
Hayes introduced Lewis at Stag, and the two enjoyed reminiscing about their friendship and their experience coaching in the NFL.
“I watched Jonathan grow up, go to college and play in the NFL,” Lewis said. “I had the opportunity to coach Jonathan when he was still active, and then I had the opportunity to have him on staff. I said, 'It's great.'
Hayes said the buck was a great opportunity to enjoy time with Lewis.
“You see how comfortable he is in leading people and keeping people's attention,” Hayes said. “That's always been one of his great virtues. I just love him as a little brother.”
The stag also includes defensive end Sam Hubbard, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, special teams coordinator Darin Simmons, former Bengals punter Kevin Hoover, and former NFL head coach and former Bengals offensive coordinator Hugh. Several Bengals officials, including Jackson, were in attendance. Other coaches and team officials as well.
“We were truly honored to have Coach Lewis speak at the 41st Annual Moeller High School Athletic Conference,” said Barrett Cohen, director of alumni relations at Moeller. “For Coach Lewis, interacting with the Bengals players and assistant coaches he worked with during his time in Cincinnati was a homecoming of sorts. It was a special night that the Moeller community will not soon forget. It became.”
Lewis, 65, has returned to the NFL full-time to assist Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce and is looking forward to next season.
“I'm excited to do what I can to support Antonio,” Lewis said. “Basically that's my opportunity and my position is to do whatever I can to help him. And I'm excited about it and the organization and the people that are there. The second half of the season is over there. It was a lot of fun and I'm excited for the season ahead. ”
Lewis said Raiders owner Mark Davis is big on winning.
“One of his earlier statements to me was that he hasn't really been successful since his father (Al Davis) passed away,” Lewis said. “His goal is he wants to get the same as the other players. He wants to win a world championship with the Las Vegas Raiders right now.”
Tammy Rosenfelt
The Raiders are scheduled to play the Bengals this season at Peiko Stadium, with a date and time to be announced at a later date.
“It's going to be interesting,” Lewis said. “I don't know. It's going to be a little different. It's going to be difficult.”
Lewis, who is entering his 44th season as a coach, said he has the utmost respect for the Bengals organization.
“Mike Brown has been a great friend to me and his family,” Lewis said. “And everyone, all the Bengals employees, all the relationships I've built over the years with everyone here. When I took that job, everyone was panicking that they were going to lose their jobs. .Most of the people were there when I started, and they're still there after that. And that's a good thing. They have a lot of good people working in that organization. I was excited and it was fun to be a part of it for as long as I have.”
Lewis said coaching is still important in his life and an important way to influence others.
“I think the reason we coach is to encourage young people,” Lewis said. “To help them do the unexpected. We have a job to help you be the best player you can be. And that's our job and that's our responsibility. It's up to you to accept and act on it.'' Go ahead and use it. ”
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