Source: San Diego State DL coach Osia Lewis to join Vanderbilt

San Diego State DL coach Osia Lewis to join Vanderbilt

San Diego State defensive line coach Osia Lewis is joining the staff of Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason, according to a source.

This past season was Lewis’s fifth in his position at San Diego State, which was 23rd in the FBS in sacks (2.64 per game). Prior to his time with the Aztecs, the 53-year-old Lewis was defensive coordinator for the United Football League’s Hartford Colonials in 2010.

He was Texas-El Paso’s defensive coordinator from 2008–09 after five seasons in the same position at New Mexico. He also oversaw the Lobos’s defensive line his first three seasons before being in charge of the program’s linebackers his final two seasons.

An Anchorage, Alaska native, the respected Lewis was at Illinois from 1997 through 2002, spending his last two seasons as the program’s linebackers coach following four seasons as its defensive line coach. He was linebackers and special teams coordinator at his alma mater, Oregon State, from 1991–96 and an assistant at Western Oregon State from 1989 through 1990.

As a player, Lewis spent time with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts as well as the Arena Football League’s Chicago Bruisers from 1987-89 and the Albany Firebirds in 1990. He played at Oregon State from 1982-85.

Vanderbilt had a 4–8 record this past season under Mason. He has a 7–17 record in his two seasons with the Commodores.