Lewis Set to Move to Head of a Class

The Baltimore Ravens’ record-setting defense will try to define its place in NFL history in the Super Bowl on Sunday, but Marvin Lewis, its architect, may be in his final days with the team.

Lewis will interview with the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns about their head coaching jobs after the Super Bowl.

He has a particular affinity for the Bills, because he and new General Manager Tom Donahoe worked together when Lewis was an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Obviously I have a great comfort with Tom,” said Lewis, the Ravens’ defensive coordinator the last five seasons. “I know Tom, and he knows me. I love his ability to evaluate talent and the way he keeps everybody involved. He listens to everybody’s opinion, and then he’s got to make a decision.

“That’s obviously a football team that has some great talent. They’ve got a lot of young people that are very athletic on defense. They’ve got a good foundation on offense, and they’ve got good people at the quarterback position.”

Lewis, 42, is known for his defensive schemes and the loyalty of his players. Safety Rod Woodson called him perhaps the best coordinator in the NFL, and linebacker Ray Lewis had similar praise.

“Marvin Lewis, he’s the genius within,” the linebacker said. “This man does things to put players in position to make plays.”

Though he has been eager for a chance to become a head coach--USC was among the schools that didn’t respond when Lewis’ agent sent a resume--he said a move would be difficult. He and his wife, Peggy, have a daughter, 16, and a son, 11.

“This is going to have to be a family decision,” Lewis said. “I’m going to be fine. I’ll have an office and videotape and people I’m in charge of. They’re the ones who are going to have to matriculate. . . . I’ll be taken care of. It has to be right for them.”

If Lewis leaves, Coach Brian Billick said Jack Del Rio, the former All-American linebacker at USC, will become defensive coordinator.

“Marvin’s done a great job the two years I’ve been here, and he’s definitely prepared himself for the next step,” said Del Rio, 37, who coaches the Raven linebackers.

“I’m obviously happy for the opportunity that would come about if he were to leave, but really, he deserves the chance to run his own team, and I’m very confident he’ll be successful when he does.”

Before any interviews, Lewis and his defense will play to see if they might be called the best in NFL history.

“That’s a subjective thing,” Lewis said. “There’s no objective thing to compare with as to the best. It’s a different time. It’s a different age.

“These guys have proven they’re very good. The thing that everyone has said is, ‘The only way that they’ll be as good [as the best ever] is if they can win a championship.’ Well, they’ve won one [the AFC championship], and they’re going to go about winning the second one.”