Rick Lewis

Rick Lewis, a captain for the Buckeyes in 2015 and 43-game veteran in his Ohio State career, was hired by head coach Nick Myers as an assistant coach in July of 2020. He completed his second season on the sidelines in 2022 and helped coach one of the program’s most prolific offenses. With his help, the Buckeyes set a program record for goals per game average in regular season contests (14.1).

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Rick home to the Buckeye lacrosse family,” said Myers. “He’s a man of high character, incredible energy and truly values what it means to be a Buckeye. I have no doubt that he’ll make an immediate impact on our young men and our brotherhood. I’m fired up to get him back in Columbus in the Scarlet and Gray!”

Lewis most recently served a two-year stint as the volunteer assistant coach at Army. The Black Knights had a combined record of 19-7 during his time and won the 2019 Patriot League Tournament title. Before COVD-19 cut the 2020 season short, Army was off to a 6-2 start.

For 2020, Lewis coached the goalies and face-off specialists while running the in-game substitution box and assisting with player development. He helped goalie Wyatt Schulper finish fourth nationally in save percentage (.617) and No. 2 in goals-against average (7.18).

“The Ohio State University means so much to me and I’m thankful to have this opportunity to do what I love at a place that I love,” said Lewis. “I’m excited to say that I’m coming home.”

“The Army lacrosse family is so appreciative of the energy and effort that Coach Lewis brought the past two years,” said Army head coach Joe Alberici. “His ability to connect and willingness to invest helped make all of us better. We wish him nothing but success as he moves to the Ohio State family. His alma mater holds a special place in his heart and I know he will make a positive impact on Buckeye student-athletes.”

Prior to Army, Lewis coached high school and club lacrosse in his home state of Georgia. Playing an integral role in developing the sport throughout the state, Lewis, served as the offensive coordinator at Lambert High School. He led the Longhorns to a state title in 2018 – their fourth in nine years – as the team finished with a perfect 22-0 record. Lewis was the Georgia High School Athletic Association Assistant Coach of the Year. While he was coaching at Lambert, Lewis also worked full-time in commercial real estate with Bull Realty in Atlanta.

Lewis came to Ohio State from Cumming, Ga. and over his four-year career helped the Buckeyes advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals twice (2013 and 2015) while compiling a 39-26 record. The Buckeye team that he captained in 2015 played in the first-ever Big Ten Tournament title game and beat Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That season, Lewis was voted an NCSA Strength and Conditioning All-American.

Lewis also has the distinction of being the only two-time hammer winner in program history. The hammer gets passed down yearly to a player who embodies toughness. That player then carries the hammer everywhere they go – to practice, workouts and on road trips. Lewis was given the hammer in 2014 by Mark Crawford and had it for both the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Other hammer winners include Kacy Kapinos, Jake Withers, Freddy Freibott, Logan Maccani and Jeff Henrick.

In the classroom, Lewis was a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and three-time Academic All-Big Ten who graduated in 2015 with his bachelor’s degree in communication. He received the team’s Community Service Award in 2015 for compiling the most hours on the team. For his career, he totaled 44.5 hours with organizations such as the Special Olympics and Heinzerling Foundation.

Lewis was drafted in the 2015 National Lacrosse League Draft by the Georgia Swarm. He was also drafted in the Major League Lacrosse Draft after graduation by the Atlanta Blaze. Lewis was the first-ever Georgia native to sign with the Georgia Swarm.

Lacrosse runs in the Lewis family – Rick’s father, Rick Sr., was a two-time All-American at Rutgers University and the two coached together at Lambert High School in 2018.