Chris Hewitt enters his eighth season as an assistant coach on the Rutgers football staff. Hewitt returns to coach the running backs for his second season after spending the previous two in charge of the cornerbacks.
Prior to becoming cornerbacks coach, Hewitt spent three seasons as Director of Speed and Skill Development at Rutgers.
In two seasons as cornerbacks coach, Hewitt's group ranked second in the BIG EAST Conference in passing defense both years. The unit recorded six of the Scarlet Knights' 10 interceptions in 2008.
Hewitt also mentored former cornerbacks Jason and Devin McCourty. In addition to excelling on the defensive side of the ball, the pair were also standouts in the special teams phase under Hewitt's tutelage. Jason went on to be selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2009 NFL Draft, while Devin was a first-round choice (27th overall) of the New England Patriots in 2010.
During his three-year tenure as Director of Speed and Skill Development, the Scarlet Knights made marked improvements in those areas which translated into great success on the field.
Hewitt, a graduate of Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, enjoyed a successful collegiate career at the University of Cincinnati (1992-96), before going on to the NFL's New Orleans Saints. At Cincinnati, Hewitt was a three-year starter in the secondary, and a two-time All-Conference USA selection (1995-96). He was also named to the All-Liberty Bowl Alliance team in 1995 and the All-Independent Football Alliance team in 1993.
In 1993, Hewitt was named the team's Newcomer of the Year after averaging 31.5 yards per kick return, the second best single-season return average in school history at the time.
Hewitt joined the Saints as a free agent in 1997, and played four seasons in the secondary and on special teams for New Orleans.
Following his playing career, he joined the Cleveland Browns coaching staff as a participant in the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship Program, and worked primarily with special teams and defensive backs. In 2003, Hewitt was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Notre Dame. Hewitt also worked with the Baltimore Ravens in 2005 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006 as part of the NFL Fellowship Program.
Hewitt and his wife, Tanisha, are the proud parents of daughters Azia, Briana, Christina and son, Christopher.
