SAN DIEGO — The Aztecs football team has a new coach for the 2024 season. Sean Lewis was hired as the 19th head coach in history at San Diego State to lead the Aztecs football program into the future.
CBS 8's Marcus Greaves got a chance to take a stroll with the new head coach and talk about the unbelievable welcome he received, the energy of the Aztec community and his commitment to building a team that will resonate with fans and pack Snapdragon Stadium for games.
"The welcome has been unbelievable, the energy of the community has been awesome," Lewis said. "There's a ton of work to be done and we're really excited to do that. And I'm really looking forward to diving into winter conditioning and really getting after the work to build this thing up for a great 2024 season."
When asked about how he wanted to change the program's identity, Lewis shared, "We want to be Aztec fast. So be fast, be explosive, be disciplined, right? ...Execute your job with purpose together at a really, really high level. And by doing that and playing a physical brand of football - special teams, defense, offensively - it's going to resonate with our community and I know that we'll pack Snapdragon will have great Saturdays in the fall."
Lewis was in the offensive coordinator role with first-year coach Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado. After a promising 3-0 start, Colorado finished 4-8 overall and last in the Pac-12 at 1-8.
Prior to his stint as offensive coordinator in Colorado, Lewis was head coach at Kent State from 2018-2022, going 24-31 and leading the Golden Flashes to two bowl games. He played collegiately at Wisconsin under legendary head coach Barry Alvarez, competing at quarterback and tight end. He twice received Big Ten all-academic recognition before earning his bachelor's degree in 2007 from the university in agricultural sciences.
During the press conference in November announcing Lewis' hire, Aztec director of athletics John David Wicker made the official announcement during a press conference that included the school band, cheerleaders and a room full of fans and media.
"I am thrilled to welcome Sean Lewis and his family to San Diego State University," Wicker said. "He is a coach with immense talent and I'm looking forward to the excitement that his teams are going to generate at Snapdragon Stadium. His approach emphasizing academic and life skills opportunities are equally important and will complement the student-athlete experience."
"San Diego State University, my family and I can't express how excited we are to be joining this incredible community," Lewis said. "We are looking forward to partnering with all of you in serving and leading our amazing football program. The time is now to support and make Snapdragon Stadium the place to be for Fast, Physical, Fun Aztec Football."
The head coach opening became available when then-current coach Brady Hoke announced that he was retiring as head coach at the end of this season. Hoke coached the final 2 regular season games for the Aztecs, losing to San Jose St. and beating Fresno St. to finish the Aztecs disappointing season at 4-8, tied for last in the Moutan West. Hoke had three seasons left on his contract when the school announced his retirement.
Hoke spent 6 seasons as head coach of the team, with an overall 39-31 record. For his career, Hoke is 104-89 with stints at his alma mater Ball State from 2003-08, Michigan from 2011-14 and San Diego State both in 2009-10 and 2020-23.
WATCH: Sean Lewis introduced as new head coach for San Diego State Aztecs football