Back in 1992, the Green Bay Packers made one of the most significant head coaching hires in franchise history. That year, they hired Mike Holmgren to be their next head coach, a decision that would help lead the Packers back to Super Bowl glory.
Holmgren had an eye for coaching talent, and many of his assistants ended up as head coaches themselves or spent long careers in the NFL as assistants. Among those who became one of the most respected offensive minds in the game was Sherman Lewis, whom Holmgren hired to be his offensive coordinator.
Former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis has passed away
While Holmgren was the offensive play-caller during his tenure with the Packers, his offensive coaching staff was made up some of the best assistants in the game. Lewis, as the offensive-coordinator, helped mold minds like Jon Gruden and Andy Reid, who served under him.
On Saturday, it was reported that Lewis has passed away at the age of 83:
Former Michigan State All-American halfback Sherm Lewis, who finished third in the Heisman voting in 1963 before going on to a long coaching career (winning four Super Bowl rings), has died, MSU confirmed. He was 83.
— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) May 16, 2026
A product of Michigan State, Lewis finished third in Heisman voting in 1963. He had a short playing career before starting a decades-long coaching career.
From 1983-1991, he was on staff with the San Francisco 49ers, first as their running backs coach and then as their wide receivers coach. He then followed Holmgren to Green Bay and served as the Packers offensive coordinator from 1992-1999.
After Holmgren left Green Bay, Lewis was hired as the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, a post he held from 2000-2001. He held the same role with the Detroit Lions from 2003-2004.
In 2009, Lewis was hired by Washington as an offensive consultant. He ended up as their play-caller after head coach Jim Zorn had those duties stripped away from him by the team’s front office.
In 2023, Lewis received the Award of Excellence by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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