Marvin Lewis is leaving the NFL behind for the college ranks.
The former Bengals coach will join Arizona State coach Herm Edwards' staff as a special adviser, the school announced Tuesday.
"Marvin Lewis is one of the most respected minds in our game," said Edwards, a former NFL coach himself with the Jets and Chiefs. "Whether as the winningest coach in the franchise history of the Cincinnati Bengals, or the architect of one the greatest defenses in NFL history, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, Marvin has succeeded everywhere he has been and he has done it the right way. His passion for teaching will be an incredible benefit not only for our coaches, but also for the young men we are responsible for as students and athletes."
Lewis, 60, joins the Sun Devils after spending 16 seasons with the Bengals. He was fired after a 6-10 season in 2018, despite winning 131 games, four AFC North titles and making the playoffs seven times in his tenure in Cincinnati.
Lewis was the Bengals' longest-tenured coach and, under him, was one of only four NFL teams to reach the playoffs every year from 2011-15.
"I've known Herman for almost 30 years and the opportunity to come and assist him and his coaches win football games is very exciting and appealing," Lewis said. "Arizona State and Tempe have always been special to me. When I was a young coach, I came to visit (ASU defensive coaches) Willie Shaw and Bob Padilla back in 1983. Dirk Koetter, who is one of my closest friends, was the head coach there. Ray Anderson, who I've known for more than 20 years, used to represent me, and my daughter (Whitney) went to school there.
"I envision just being another set of eyes, another set of ears, and doing anything I can to help the coaches. I was really impressed with the staff and what they accomplished after they hit the ground running last season. ASU is a great university and is known for having an outstanding athletic program that has always been able to attract top athletes from around the country and I look forward to doing all I can to help the program."
Lewis started his NFL coaching career in 1992 as the linebackers coach for the Steelers, then moved on to the Ravens in 1996 as their defensive coordinator. He was instrumental in helping the Ravens defeat the Giants in the 2001 Super Bowl, 34-7.
He spent one season as the defensive coordinator for the Redskins under Steve Spurrier, and in 2003 he was hired by Cincinnati, where he remained until after the 2018 season.