LaTroy Lewis is officially heading to the NFL sidelines.
The former Tennessee defensive lineman is joining the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant defensive line coach, making the leap from the college ranks to the pros. Lewis confirmed the news himself with a social media post Tuesday morning, proudly displaying the Falcons logo alongside a message that read simply: “God is Great!
Let’s Work!!!!!!!!!! #RiseUp.”
It’s a big move for Lewis, and the timing adds an extra layer of intrigue. Just over a month ago, he’d accepted a position as UConn’s defensive line coach, following head coach Jason Candle from Toledo after the two worked together during the 2025 season. But when the NFL comes calling, especially with an opportunity to work in a position group you’ve developed expertise in, it’s hard to say no.
Lewis’ journey to this point has been anything but linear-more of a grind-it-out, earn-every-step kind of path. A native of Akron, Ohio, Lewis played five seasons at Tennessee from 2012 to 2016.
He started his college career under then-head coach Derek Dooley and stayed on through the transition to Butch Jones in 2013. By the time he wrapped up his time in Knoxville, Lewis had developed into a steady contributor on the Vols’ defensive front.
His final season in 2016 was his most productive, posting career highs in tackles (36) and sacks (2.5) while appearing in 11 games and earning four starts. Over his college career, he totaled 77 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery-solid numbers that reflected his consistency and work ethic more than flashy highlight-reel plays.
After going undrafted in 2017, Lewis didn’t let that stop him. He signed with the Oakland Raiders for the preseason but was ultimately waived.
That setback didn’t end the dream-he caught on with the Houston Texans and made his NFL regular-season debut later that year. In 2018, he returned to familiar territory, suiting up for the Tennessee Titans.
And in 2020, Lewis continued his pro career in the XFL with the Houston Roughnecks.
When his playing days came to a close, Lewis pivoted to coaching and started building from the ground up. He held graduate assistant roles at Akron, South Alabama, and Michigan, gaining experience across multiple programs.
He also spent time as a special teams analyst at Wake Forest, adding another layer to his football résumé. In 2025, he finally got his first shot as a full-time position coach, taking over the defensive line at Toledo.
That role was supposed to carry over to UConn this season-but the NFL opportunity changed the script.
Now with the Falcons, Lewis steps into a role that not only matches his playing background but also puts him in a position to continue growing as a coach at the highest level of the game. It’s a testament to the work he’s put in, both on the field and behind the scenes, and it marks another chapter in a football journey that’s been defined by persistence, adaptability, and a clear love for the game.
For Atlanta, bringing in a young, energetic coach with both college and pro experience-plus a player’s perspective-adds value to a defensive staff looking to develop talent in the trenches. And for Lewis, it’s a chance to make his mark in the NFL all over again-this time with a headset instead of a helmet.