Ray “RJ” Lewis is entering his fifth year with the Hampton University Department of Athletics, and his first season as the football program’s academic liaison within the office of Athletic Academic Support, working with LaNea Winston and Kristen Drummond.
Previously, Lewis had been the Pirates’ Director of Player Development.
Some of Lewis’ duties include: development of coping skills, financial awareness, image awareness, and creating positive social interactions. Lewis also heads an initiative to create cohesiveness between each student-athlete’s short-term and long-term goals.
Following the 2010 season, Lewis was nominated for the NCAA Coaching Academy. Lewis’ commitment to community enrichment also caught the eye of the city of Hampton, as he was designated the liaison between the football program and local underprivileged youth.
After a successful 2009 season, in which the Pirates ranked No. 13 in the nation defensively, Lewis was selected to the NCAA Coaching Academy. Lewis is responsible for assisting the football staff with breaking down game film and evaluating players, as well as coordinating the nation’s No. 5 kickoff team.
A former defensive back and linebacker for the Pirates, Lewis, who was highly recruited by Rose and Devan Hill, was part of the 2005-2006 team that reached history books by being the first Div. I-AA team to go undefeated in regular season play. The Pirates finished that season with an 11-1 record, as Lewis won the first of his two MEAC championship rings as a player. Fifteen members of that team were invited to NFL training camps, making the squad one of the most memorable in FCS history.
Lewis graduated from Hampton University in 2006 with a degree in psychology. While continuing to pursue his football career as a free agent in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Lewis found his passion in coaching and teaching underprivileged youth, establishing the mentoring program J.E.S.U.S. (Jesus Established Salvation, Utilize Self-Empowerment), a unique three-point program that focuses on spiritual, educational and athletic development. Along with furthering his education in the Masters program, Lewis currently teaches the principles of J.E.S.U.S. in the freshman studies department at Hampton University.
Prior to joining the Hampton University football staff, Lewis coached defensive backs for nationally-recognized football company Offense-Defense. Lewis was also an intern with one of the top up-and-coming athletic performance companies in the country, E2 Athletics in Dallas, Texas, as well as campus director and school coordinator for Los Angeles-based Star, Inc.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Calif., Lewis is the son of LaDonna and E. Ray Lewis. An active member of his church and community, Lewis spends his spare time going to the beach and listening to poetry. He prides himself on being a big brother to his three sisters: Brittany, Bianca and Chanel.
Lewis is married to the former Johanna Freeman and is the proud father of son Devin-Ray Jacquair Lewis.
