Preston Brown, the Bengals' 26-year-old middle linebacker who grew up on the west side, is like a lot of kids about his age who grew up in Cincinnati. Marvin Lewis is the only Bengals head coach they've ever known.
"I was 10 when he got here. It's a surreal moment he's not here anymore," Brown said after exiting Monday's team meeting where Lewis confirmed their phone alerts and he was no longer their head coach after 16 seasons.
"Just growing up here and seeing him coach here every day, he's a huge part of Cincinnati and to have him gone is just a big shock … That's when I started to watch Bengals football when Coach Lewis came."
Not only that, Lewis is the only head coach Andy Dalton has ever had while quarterbacking eight NFL seasons.
"I just want to say one more thing," Dalton said after conducting an interview. "I'm so appreciative of him drafting me and bringing me to Cincinnati. He's exactly what you want in a coach, in a man with character. Family was important and he made it fun to play here. Steady and loyal, that was Marvin."
It shows you how long he's been coaching the Bengals. How long? He was named at an evening news conference at the 2003 Senior Bowl, which didn't appear on Facebook Live or Twitter or Instagram because none of that existed. When his tenure ended Monday, his players knew he was leaving before they went into the meeting he told them he was leaving because they saw it on their phones.
"Unfortunately Twitter knows before everybody else," said wide receiver Alex Erickson. "I don't know how. No one even talks about it. It's a weird situation. The uncertainty. Coach Lewis has meant so much to us you're not thinking about the future. You're just trying to be in the moment. Make sure you don't miss a chance to say good-bye … It's hard. I've been through it in college, the NFL. (The coaches) invest so much in you, your career. This is our livelihoods."
After his last time walking out of the team meeting room Monday morning, Lewis paused before heading upstairs to his office one final time and staged an impromptu receiving line of hugs and whispers as his suddenly former players filed out. The decision had been made last week, but that's when Lewis showed his first and only public emotion.
Erickson hugged him and told him how much he respected him. Lewis pulled cornerback William Jackson close for one final, animated pep talk.
A.J. Green, his surgically-repaired foot on a scooter, paid respects as best he could.
"Anytime a guy has been a head coach for that long," Erickson said, "you know he knows football in and out and how to win at a high level and sustain it. There's nothing but respect. He's a great leader and we'll miss him."
In those 16 seasons from flip phones to emoji's, Lewis morphed from 44-year-old-hell-raiser-program-builder-face-of-the-franchise energy source to 60-year-old-wise-seasoned-father-figure-type-with-open-door-quarter-century-NFL-knowledge. He got ripped for a 0-7 record in the postseason, but his ability to relate to players has never been questioned and difficult to replace,
"You can't put it into words. People have no idea how he changed the Bengals," said former wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who was here B.C.M. (Before Coach Marv) and during. "He left it a better place. Just from a professional aspect. Dude, way back in 2005, 2006 he was standing up in front of us talking about how you never put your hands on a woman. He'd say things like, 'Nothing good happens after midnight,' and that stuff I still remember. And it was from Marvin Lewis."
Lewis built a solid reputation around the league for looking beyond the two-deep depth chart. His ability to recruit free agents to a franchise once labeled NFL Siberia is well known. He also had a knack for winning division titles with players looking for a new lease on life. It's a list of recycled guys like Adam Jones, Cedric Benson, Chris Crocker, Dhani Jones and included this year's starting right tackle.
"He did a great job getting something out of guys that hadn't been as successful elsewhere," Dalton said.
Bobby Hart had 21 NFL starts by the age of 23 but he was unceremoniously cut by the Giants at the end of last season and labeled toxic after an ugly New York Twitter war.
"There weren't a lot of teams giving me an opportunity after all the lies that were spread about me," Hart said Monday as he packed up after a one-year deal turned into 16 starts. "I came up here and talked with him for a long time. We talked about the things that were said about me. Being a cancer and leading guys in the locker room the wrong way. I could have done things differently, but at the end of the day I knew I wasn't a cancer or a bad person.
"I just needed to mature and grow," Hart said. "I feel like he understands what it feels like to be in the position of an African-American man in today's society. We met and talked and at the end of the day he gave me a chance and that's all I can ask."
Running back Giovani Bernard, an unquestioned locker room leader when drafted, is at the opposite end of the spectrum but had a similar relationship.
"He's like a father-mentor to me. He's been a person that's always been there for me," Bernard said. "No matter the situation, he's there. He's an open-door guy. You can always go in there and ask him a question whatever it is. If you feel a certain way you can go talk to him and have that relationship."
Houshmandzadeh, who spent the day on Fox Sports talking about the move and others on the NFL's Black Monday, will also tell you Lewis did a great job relating to him because he was such a volatile youth.
"Marvin wasn't a player's coach, but he was a player's coach," said Houshmandzadeh, which may be the ultimate compliment. "Marv and I went at it many times. One time (players) asked me and Carson (Palmer) to meet with him. We were sore on Sundays. We couldn't move because we were leaving it all on the field during the week. He told me, "let's see other teams' practice scripts.'
A look back at the coaching career of Marvin Lewis with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis talks to members of the media about his first year as head coach, during a news conference at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Monday, Dec. 29, 2003. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, left, directs his players alongside running back Joe Mixon, right, during NFL football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis stands next to a rendering of the new field markings during an unveiling of the team's new uniforms before a large crowd of fans, Thursday, April 22, 2004, in Cincinnati. The markings will be on the new FieldTurf playing surface which is in the process of being installed. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, left, speaks at a news conference where he introduced Mike Zimmer, right, as the new defensive coordinator for the Bengals, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in Cincinnati. Zimmer had been defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis walks off Heinz Field after leading his team to a 28-20 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL football action Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006, in Pittsburgh.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cinncinati Bengals' Carl Powell (72) douses coach Marvin Lewis following a 38-31 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL action Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis works the sidelines in the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis during practice at training camp, Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Georgetown, Ky. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis talks with reporters, Wednesday, July 28, 2010, in Georgetown, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis breaks into a smile after the Bengals scored against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
North squad coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals, watches in the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis look dover his shoulder during the second half of a NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis holds up a jersey with first round pick A.J. Green at an introductory press conference in April.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis sends defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) back onto the field in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis gestures to his defense during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, in Baltimore. The Bengals won 21-9. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, left, makes a point with an official Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, against the Kansas City Chiefs in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, right, hugs receiver Chad Johnson after Johnson scored on a 68-yard reception against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis congratulates tackle Willie Anderson (71) as he leaves the field, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005, against the Houston Texans in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, right, talks to his players on the bench during the Bengals' game against the Cleveland Browns in 2004. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis looks up at the scoreboard during their game against the New England Patriots in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday afternoon Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in action against the San Diego Chargers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis throws a ball before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis signs autographs after practice at training camp, Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Georgetown, Ky. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis throws out the challenge flag during the second quarter of their football game with the Denver Broncos in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, right, hugs a mourner before a memorial service for the late Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry in Westwego, La., on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. Henry, who grew up in nearby Belle Chasse, died Thursday, Dec. 17, after falling out of the back of a pickup truck driven by his fiancee, Loleini Tonga. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis looks down at his notes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Md., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and staff instruct their team during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis speaks on the NFL Network set after the North team practice for the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on January 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Alix Drawec)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis speaks to the media after an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, in Cincinnati. The Bengals won 31-7. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, left, responds to a question as first-round NFL football draft pick Dre Kirkpatrick listens during a news conference, Friday, April 27, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis speaks on stage during an NFL Fan Rally at the NFL House in Victoria House, in London, Saturday Oct. 29, 2016. The Washington Redskins faced the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, right, speaks alongside first round draft pick William Jackson III during a news conference at Paul Brown Stadium, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis watches his players warm up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Cleveland. Cincinnati won 30-0. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cincinnati Bengals NFL second round draft pick Andy Dalton, left, a quarterback from TCU, sits with head coach Marvin Lewis, right, during a news conference, Saturday, April 30, 2011, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis celebrates a field goal against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Posing for a photo during Cincinnati Bengals practice at an NFL football mandatory minicamp are, left to right, Bengals president Mike Brown, Reese Kasich, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, quarterback Andy Dalton, and head coach Marvin Lewis, Wednesday, June 11, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, left, and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis meet before an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis runs onto the field for an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, left, and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, right, meet on the field during practice before an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis watches the action during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Cleveland. The Bengals won 23-10. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and his son, Marshall Manning, greet Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis prior to an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, middle, stands alongside offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, left, during organized team activities at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis works the sidelines in the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis stands in a tunnel before the team's introduction before a preseason NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) shakes hands with coach Marvin Lewis before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis watches his players during NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 29, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
"So I called DeMarcus Ware (in Dallas) and he sent me one," said Houshmandzadeh, trying to get Lewis off those two-hour practices that were some times longer. "They were on the field for only an hour and a half or an hour and 40 minutes. He got mad. He was trying to build a culture through the building that it was going to take hard work. I didn't see it then. But now I understand the method to his madness."
No question, Houshmandzadeh says. Lewis can still coach.
"What you need are great assistants that can explain the game plan to players," Houshmandzadeh said, "and be able to relate to players. And he can do that."
Whether you're T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a 2001 draft pick, or Preston Brown, an eight-year-old kid on the west side in 2001.
