Marvin Lewis on way out of Cincinnati

Season No. 15 will be Marvin Lewis’ last in Cincinnati.

The longtime Bengals coach will leave the team at the conclusion of this season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Lewis plans to pursue other opportunities.

Lewis is the second-longest-tenured coach in the NFL. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is first.

The Bengals have hovered around mediocrity during Lewis’ time with Cincinnati. Lewis has compiled a 123-111-3 record in 15 years with the Bengals. To compound matters, he has failed to win a playoff game with the club. The Bengals entered the playoffs seven times and lost their first postseason game all seven times. Lewis doesn’t have to worry about extra football this season because the Bengals won’t qualify for the playoffs.

Lewis is a quality defensive-minded coach who will get another opportunity. Schefter noted the coach might look into coaching again or even a front-office gig.

Lewis won AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2009. The Bengals won the AFC North four times while he was at the helm. He is a quality coach, but the Lewis-Bengals partnership has run its course in Cincinnati. Both sides need a fresh start.