Former Pitt great Dion Lewis announced as coach at Albany

Former Pitt great Dion Lewis announced as coach at Albany FILE- In this Oct. 10, 2009, file photo, Pittsburgh freshman running back Dion Lewis (28) carries the ball against Connecticut during an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh. Only one Pitt running back, Tony Dorsett, had a season like Dion Lewis' a year ago. In only a couple of months, Lewis went from unknown freshman to second-team All-American. Still, one year later, some teammates still don't know what makes Dion Lewis run. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File) (Keith Srakocic/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

By Dominic Campbell: PittsburghSportsNOW.com

ALBANY, NY — Former great Pitt running back Dion Lewis is now the assistant running backs coach at Albany, the program announced on Saturday.

Lewis starred for the Panthers for two seasons in 2009 and 2010. He had the difficult task of following up with another Pitt great running back in LeSean McCoy and did so admirably.

In his first year in 2009, he ran 325 times for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns, with both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns Pitt program records for a freshman. For his efforts, he earned Big East Offensive Player of the Year, Big East Rookie of the Year and Second Team All-American Honors in 2009.

Lewis also holds the Pitt record for rushes in a single game with 47 against then-ranked No. 5 Cincinnati in a 45-44 loss in heartbreaking fashion on Dec. 5, 2009.

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