**Ray Lewis Expresses Strong Desire to Coach FAU Football Amid Coaching Search**

FAU football is currently in the spotlight as it searches for a new head coach, following underwhelming performances in the past five seasons under Willie Taggart and recently fired Tom Herman. The search has garnered increased interest with Miami football legend Ray Lewis indicating his desire to take the helm, according to sources familiar with his intentions.

Lewis, a 49-year-old and a 13-time Pro Bowl linebacker, has observed the remarkable transformation that Deion Sanders has achieved at Colorado. Inspired by Sanders' model, Lewis is preparing to propose his own vision for revitalizing the Owls to the FAU leadership within the week. Despite his enthusiasm and proximity to the FAU campus – Lewis lives just five minutes away – he does face a significant hurdle, as he lacks any prior college coaching experience, unlike Sanders.

Supporting Lewis in his potential endeavor is fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter, who serves as FAU’s executive director of player engagement. Carter could prove to be an invaluable resource for Lewis. Nevertheless, sources involved in the search indicate that Lewis is not currently a serious candidate.

The frontrunner for the position appears to be Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. The 31-year-old, who previously served as Lane Kiffin’s offensive coordinator at FAU, boasts considerable support from key figures within the program. Weis' work with the Rebels, who currently run the nation’s second-ranked offense, has been impressive. Despite making $1.65 million at Ole Miss, sources suggest financial considerations won’t deter him from the FAU job.

Several other potential candidates are expected to be in the mix. Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has shown his capability by turning the team’s offense into one of the ACC’s top performers. Penn State’s assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator Ja'Juan Seider, with his deep local ties and strong player rapport, is also a notable candidate.

Other names include UCF offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr., who has developed the Big 12’s most prolific offense, and UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, known for his strategic prowess despite challenging circumstances. Additionally, FSU defensive backs coach Pat Surtain, Georgia assistant head coach Todd Hartley, Duke defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke, and Miami defensive ends coach Jason Taylor are being considered.

As FAU continues its search, the selection of a new head coach remains a highly anticipated decision, promising to influence the trajectory of the Owls’ football program significantly.