Seattle Seahawks assistant defensive line coach Damion Lewis leads a drill during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Renton, Washington, Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Colorado promoted Damion Lewis to defensive line coach to replace Sal Sunseri, who left the team.
Lewis, a 10-year NFL veteran, was hired by head coach Deion Sanders as a defensive analyst for the Buffaloes earlier in the offseason, but Sunseri was away from the team for the entire offseason, so Lewis took over in that role throughout spring practice.
Lewis officially joined the full-time coaching staff as one of 10 main assistants. He signed a two-year contract that will pay him $315,000 this year and $350,000 the second year.
Lewis served as defensive line coach for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks from 2020 to 2023. In 2019, he worked at Florida International as assistant athletic director for player development and community relations.
Lewis, 46, grew up in Sulphur Springs, Texas and played collegiately at Miami. He was named to the All-Big East Second Team as a junior in 1999 and the All-Big East First Team as a senior in 2000, and earned several All-American honors. During his time at Miami, he recorded 220 tackles and 15.5 sacks.
He was selected 12th overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 2001 NFL Draft. After five seasons with the Rams, he played for the Carolina Panthers (2006-2009), New England Patriots (2010 offseason) and Houston Texans (2010).
During his NFL career, Lewis recorded 262 tackles, 23.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries in 141 games.
The Buffaloes have Lewis and graduate assistant Warren Sapp, who brings a combined 23 years of NFL experience to coach their defensive linemen. Sapp, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who preceded Lewis at Miami, is a former NFL coach.
Sunseri, 64, a coach with nearly four decades of experience, spent one season with the Buffaloes. He was hired in March 2023.
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