Former Eagle QB could be next coach at 4A power Evansville Reitz

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

EVANSVILLE -- A former South Putnam All-State quarterback is in line to be the next head football coach at Evansville Reitz.

Tony Lewis, who played as an Eagle during the 1982-85 football seasons, will be considered for the position when the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corp.'s board meets next Monday. That board session had been scheduled for Feb. 11, but was postponed until Feb. 18 due to winter weather in Evansville.

Lewis is a former assistant coach at Reitz, and has been head coach at Wheelersburg High School in Wheelersburg, Ohio for the past six seasons, where his record is 47-21 with four conference titles. Prior to that he was an assistant football coach at Reitz for a decade.

While at South Putnam, Lewis was coached by Bob Gaddis during his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. During his season year under coach Mark Wildman, Lewis helped the Eagles to their Final Four in post-season. They lost to Eastern Hancock by eight points in a semi-state match. Eastern Hancock went on to win the state title that year.

Lewis coached with Gaddis at Pike High School in Indianapolis prior to coaching in Evansville. He is licensed to teach U.S. history, psychology, sociology and physical education in Indiana. His brother Tege Lewis is a math teacher at Evansville Reitz.

If hired at Reitz, Lewis will be in a program rich in tradition. The Panthers are coming off a 15-0 season and a 4A state title. It was the program's first state title.

In its history, Reitz has won 11 sectionals, four regionals, one semi-state and one state title.

Reitz competes in the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference with seven other Evansville-area schools.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: