McKendree University Athletics

Following a successful collegiate and professional playing career, Jesse Lewis had made the transition to the coaching profession at McKendree University. Lewis joined the Bearcats' program in the summer of 2014 as a graduate assistant and assists in coaching the secondary at McKendree.

With Lewis' help, the young McKendree defensive backfield grew in confidence as the 2014 season progressed. The Bearcats closed the season with a five-game win streak, and the secondary played an integral part in the victories. Freshman cornerback Derrick Curry finished the year with 43 tackles while adding four pass break-ups, while freshman safety Weston Brown jumped into a starting role midway through the season and added 28 stops. 

Lewis enjoyed a prolific playing career at Colorado State University-Pueblo, where he capped his playing days as the TimberWolves' career leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards. Lewis, a four-year All-Conference selction at CSU-Pueblo while playing for former TimberWolves' assistant coach (and current McKendree head coach) Mike Babcock, then played professionally overseas for a year, spending the 2013 season as a member of the Raiffeissen Vikings Vienna American Football Club. He played on a team that posted a 15-0 record in the European Football League and the Austrian Football League as the squad combined to win both league titles. 

After that, Lewis competed for the Colorado Ice Professional Arena football squad that played in the Professional Indoor Football League (IFL). 

Lewis graduated from CSU-Pueblo with a bachelor's degree in business administration and business management with a marketing emphasis in 2012.