Bill Lewis to Retire. Tenuta Hired

Notre Dame announced today that Irish Assistant Head Coach/Defense Bill Lewis will be stepping down from his position and will be replaced by former Georgia Tech defensive coordinator John Tenuta.

Irish secondary coach Bill Lewis is leaving the Irish program after three solid seasons coaching for Notre Dame. His Irish secondary was a large part of Notre Dame's No. 2 ranking in pass defense in 2007, while also finishing ranked No. 22 in pass efficiency defense.

The animated and very likable Lewis will leave an experienced and talented group of defensive backs for his successor with three returning starters as well as key backups returning from the 2007 season.

Lewis has had a long, successful coaching career that consisted of two head coaching positions at East Carolina and Georgia Tech, and plenty of experience in coaching defense mostly in the SEC as well as the NFL.

Lewis will remain at the University of Notre Dame in an administrative role as the Manager of Athletics Community Relations.

Replacing Lewis is John Tenuta. Tenuta joins the Irish after spending the past six season as Defensive Coordinator and Interim Head Coach for the Yellow Jackets.