NFL assistant and Michigan State All-American Sherman Lewis dies at 83

Four-time Super Bowl-winning assistant coach and Michigan State All-American runningback Sherman Lewis has died at the age of 83, the school announced on Saturday.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sherman Lewis,” the school said in the statement. “Lewis, a first-team All-American in 1963, served as an assistant coach at MSU before a decorated NFL coaching career that included four Super Bowl titles. We send our deepest condolences to the Lewis family.”

Lewis spent three seasons with Michigan State, earning first-team All-American honors and finishing third place in the race for the Heisman Trophy. He racked up 1,566 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns during his time with the Spartans.

He spent time in the Canadian Football League before playing two seasons with the New York Jets.

Lewis returned to Michigan State in 1969, serving as an assistant coach for 14 years. He was later inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.

He went on to spent nine seasons as a runningback coach for the San Francisco winning three Super Bowls with them throughout the 1980s.

After his time with the 49ers, he become the offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers for eight seasons. He won his fourth career Super Bowl with the Packers in 1996. He ended his coaching career with stints on the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.

Lewis never got a chance to take the wheel of an NFL team as a head coach, but he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel back in 2015 that he was still proud of his career.

“No question I wished I had the chance to be a head coach,” he continued. “But looking back, I did all I could. I was disappointed, but I’m not going to hang my hat on that. I had a great career and was fortunate to coach in the NFL.”

James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker

About the Author Published May 16, 2026

JAMES PARKER

James Parker is a sports reporter and writer for Ball Exclusives. With a bachelor's degree earned at the age of 19, he’s spent years working as a sports journalist, including an award-winning stint at The Appalachian. He has never used AI for his work in any way, shape or form.