All-American, Super Bowl-winning coach Sherman Lewis dies

Sherman Lewis, a former Michigan State star who won four Super Bowls as an NFL assistant coach, died on Friday. He was 83.

Michigan State announced his passing Saturday night. It did not provide a cause of death, however.

An All-American halfback with the Spartans, Lewis finished third in the 1963 Heisman Trophy voting after totaling 880 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sherman Lewis.

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. pic.twitter.com/BojEMzA2Ah

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) May 16, 2026

Lewis played with the Toronto Argonauts (1964) in the CFL and the New York Jets (1966-67) in the AFL before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach under Duffy Daugherty in 1969. He remained on the Michigan State staff until 1982.

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bill Walsh hired him to the San Francisco 49ers' coaching staff in 1983. He won three Super Bowl rings during his nine-year run with the 49ers as running backs coach before picking up another ring during his time as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers (1992-99).

Lewis also was an offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings (2000-01) and Detroit Lions (2003-04) as well as an offensive consultant with the Washington franchise (2009).

The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognized Lewis in the Awards of Excellence Class of 2023 on June 28, 2023. The Award of Excellence program honors significant contributors to the game in five categories, including assistant coaches.

--Field Level Media