Central State University Athletic Department and Director of Athletics Kevicia Brown has announced the hiring of Travis Lewis as the next head coach of the men’s basketball program.
“I am thrilled to welcome Travis Lewis as our new head men’s basketball coach. Coach Lewis brings a dynamic and analytical approach to the game, coupled with a contagious energy that will undoubtedly elevate our program. I’ve had the pleasure of watching him train players firsthand-his no-mercy attitude, even with his own sons, exemplifies his commitment to excellence. Expect great things from our program this year. Pay attention because we are heading to new heights.” -Kevicia Brown, Athletic Director.
Travis Lewis has made a significant impact in collegiate basketball through his dynamic coaching career. Over three seasons with the Cleveland State Vikings, Lewis has been a driving force behind the team’s impressive performance. His Cleveland State tenure began in 2021-22 as the Video Coordinator and Chief of Staff, a role in which he played a crucial part in the Vikings’ back-to-back-to-back seasons of 20+ wins. During his first season, Cleveland State captured the Horizon League regular-season title and secured a spot in the National Invitation Tournament.
In his most recent season, Lewis continued to excel, by helping guide the Vikings to their fourth consecutive postseason appearance. The team finished third in the Horizon League regular-season standings and was the runner-up in the Horizon League Tournament, earning a berth in the College Basketball Invitational.
Coach Lewis has helped lead the Vikings to an impressive number of eleven players named to all-league teams and two NBA professionals emerge, D’Moi Hodge (L.A. Lakers) and Tristan Enaruna (Boston Celtics). His emphasis on defense has been equally impressive, with six CSU student-athletes earning all-defensive team honors. Notably, Cleveland State is the only school to place multiple players on the all-defensive team for three consecutive seasons.
Before joining Cleveland State, Lewis was the head coach at St. Francis De Sales High School in Toledo, Ohio, where he amassed a record of 118-77 and led the team to eight state tournament appearances. His tenure included guiding St. Francis De Sales to a second-place finish in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference during the 2019-20 season, the highest conference finish in the school’s history.
Lewis’s coaching journey began with three seasons as the associate head coach at Owens Community College in Toledo, where he also served as the assistant director of athletics. At Owens, he was involved in practice planning, on-court coaching, recruiting, and scouting, while also supporting 19 Academic All-Americans and overseeing NJCAA compliance for the college’s sports programs.
Lewis’s basketball career began in the 2008-09 season as the Director of Video Operations and Player Development for Eastern Michigan University. His contributions to the sport have earned him several coaching accolades, including AP Ohio All-Northwest District Coach of the Year (2017), Ohio TRAC Coach of the Year (2017), and BCSN District All-Star Head Coach (2016-18).
A 2007 graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Lewis was a standout two-sport athlete, excelling in both basketball and football. He captained the Eagles men’s basketball team three times and was named Defensive Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. On the football field, he played wide receiver and served as offensive team captain during the 2007 season.
Lewis joins Marauder Land with a strong support system, including his wife, Jessica, and their three sons: Travis Jr. (13), Jason (11), and Jeremiah (2).
