After 16 years together, the Cincinnati Bengals and Marvin Lewis mutually agreed to part ways on Monday. Now the team will begin its first coaching search in years.
During his time as the team’s head coach Lewis guide the Bengals to 10 non-losing seasons in 16 years, including four AFC North titles. There were seven playoff appearances, including five in a row from 2011-2015.
However, the team just wrapped up his third straight losing season. That, coupled, with Lewis’ 0-7 mark in playoff games, proved to be the decisive blow.
Lewis spoke to reporters for a final time following the news:
Here’s what some of what is being said on social media:
Let’s be honest….if empty seats played a role in today’s news….and they did…….then how could Hue Jackson possibly be the answer? Unless the #Bengals would want more empty seats.
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) December 31, 2018
My understanding is Marvin Lewis is not retiring. The end of his 16-year run as #Bengals coach was part of a collaborative process with owner Mike Brown, who made the final call. Everyone agreed it was time to move on. https://t.co/jXiexhObi9
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2018
Great 16-year run for Marvin Lewis with the #Bengals. Here’s the final resume. pic.twitter.com/CVBbOsZCLX
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) December 31, 2018
During his 16 season in Cincinnati, Marvin brought respectability to @bengals. He changed a culture,and built a talented roster while also enriching the community by offering scores of scholarships to disadvantaged youth.The true measure of a Man is about more than wins & losses. pic.twitter.com/tbzTmu3ZOM
— Solomon Wilcots (@SolomonsWisdom) December 31, 2018
It was time for Marvin Lewis in Cincy but I hope @Bengals fans appreciate him turning them into a perennial playoff team for a while.
They hadn’t had a winning season or made the playoffs since 1990 before Lewis took over in 2003. That’s insane.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) December 31, 2018
Before it got real stale, Marvin Lewis pulled off one of the most impressive rebuilding jobs of the aughts.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) December 31, 2018
