Atlanta Falcons Fire Assistant Coach LaTroy Lewis After Disturbing Assault Allegations—What We Know

The Atlanta Falcons abruptly dismissed assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis on Friday, just weeks after hiring the former Tennessee linebacker to Arthur Smith’s new staff. Team officials announced the move minutes after media reports surfaced alleging that Lewis is under investigation in Michigan for a 2024 sexual-assault incident that reportedly involved violence against a woman. According to multiple outlets, the Falcons learned of the accusations late Thursday and acted quickly, issuing a one-sentence statement that Lewis was “no longer with the organization”. Documents first cited by college-sports site On3 indicate the alleged misconduct traces back to Lewis’s stint as a defensive analyst at the University of Michigan, predating his brief stop at UConn earlier this winter and his jump to the NFL. Michigan authorities have not yet confirmed whether formal charges will be filed, but sources close to the investigation say detectives are gathering statements from multiple witnesses. Lewis, 29, played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2012-16, spent parts of two NFL seasons with the Raiders, Texans and Titans, and pivoted to coaching after injuries cut short his playing career. His rapid ascent—moving from Michigan to UConn and then to Atlanta in a matter of weeks—had been praised as a success story for young minority coaches before Friday’s stunning reversal. The Falcons now have a vacancy on their defensive staff less than three weeks before the start of free-agency workouts, heightening pressure on defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake to fill the role quickly. League sources expect Atlanta to interview internal candidate Lanier Goethie and several veteran assistants with prior pass-rush experience as early as next week. As for Lewis, legal experts note that the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy does not apply to non-player employees once they are no longer with a club, but any criminal indictment could still trigger league discipline if he attempts to return. Neither Lewis nor his representatives have commented publicly, and court records in Washtenaw County, Michigan, show no filings related to the case as of Friday afternoon. Key search phrases: “LaTroy Lewis fired,” “Falcons assistant DL coach dismissed,” “LaTroy Lewis sexual assault investigation,” “Atlanta Falcons coaching staff news,” “University of Michigan rape allegation coach.”