Chris Hewitt enters his second season as cornerbacks coach after serving three seasons as Director of Speed and Skill Development at Rutgers.
In just his first season as cornerbacks coach, Hewitt’s group ranked second in the BIG EAST Conference in passing defense. The group also recorded six of the Scarlet Knights’ 10 interceptions on the year. Hewitt also mentored former cornerback Jason McCourty as a kickoff returner where he ranked third in the conference. McCourty went on to be selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2009 NFL Draft.
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.
As a redshirt freshman for the Bearcats 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.
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 Fellowship Program.
A standout in football and track at Dwight Morrow, Hewitt was a two-year starter for the Maroon Raiders and earned All-County and All-State recognition.
Hewitt and his wife, Tanisha, are the proud parents of daughters Azia, Briana and Christina.
