Damione Lewis

Damione Ramon Lewis (born March 1, 1978) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the defensive line coach for Miami (FL). He played professionally as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Lewis played college football for the Miami Hurricanes before being selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, and Houston Texans. After his playing career, he became a defensive assistant for the Seattle Seahawks.

Lewis attended Sulphur Springs High School in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Lewis played college football at the University of Miami. After redshirting as a true freshman, Lewis started in his second year and produced a career-high 72 tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble. As a sophomore in 1998 he led all Hurricanes defensive linemen with 52 tackles and registered two sacks. In 1999, as a junior Lewis posted 57 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery and was named to the second-team All-Big East. As a senior, he recorded 39 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was named first-team All-Big East and Third-team All-American by the Sporting News.

Lewis started 41 of 43 games at Miami and finished his career with 220 career tackles, 15.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.

Lewis was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 12th overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. On July 27, 2001, Lewis agreed to a five-year, $7.5 million contract with the Rams. As a rookie in 2001, Lewis played in nine games with three starts prior to being placed on injured reserve with a broken right foot, keeping him out of the Rams' Super Bowl XXXVI loss to the New England Patriots. The following year, he played in 16 games with two starts (one at defensive end and one a defensive tackle). He posted 44 tackles, four sacks, 14 quarterback pressures and one pass defensed.

In 2003, Lewis played in 12 games (starting the first seven of the season). He registered 34 tackles, half a sack, 13 quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and one pass defensed. A sprained ankle against the Pittsburgh Steelers hampered his playing time in the second half of the season.

In 2004, Lewis again earned the starting job at the outset of the season, starting the first 10 contests and playing in all 16. He amassed career highs of 61 tackles and five sacks in addition to recording eight quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and two passes defensed. The next season, he played in 16 games with seven starts. However, in 2005, he was in the starting lineup for the final seven contests. He produced 45 tackles, one sack, 23 quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Lewis played for the Rams for five years, starting 29 of 69 games, and recording 10.5 sacks.