Washington ? Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis said Thursday he broke off talks with Michigan State University about becoming the school’s head football coach largely because he remains intent upon pursuing a head-coaching job in the NFL.

“I’ve been battling something here in the NFL,” Lewis said at Redskins Park. “We’ve got things left to do here. I’d like to be a head coach. I’m not sure where at. But I just felt like that wasn’t the time. There are some things left undone I’ve been battling. Hopefully I don’t give in to this. To me, it may have been somewhat settling and going a different direction. I chose to stay here.”

The Redskins were relieved to retain Lewis, the NFL’s highest-paid assistant coach, as their defensive coordinator, but know he is likely to be a candidate for NFL head-coaching vacancies in the coming weeks.

“It’s good for our organization,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “That’s something we haven’t had is for somebody to stay two years, especially a (defensive) coordinator. It’s a big plus for us. It’s a step in the right direction. … (But) I know he’s not going to be here forever. He definitely deserves a head-coaching job, so he’s just waiting on it now.”

Lewis did not rule out the possibility of accepting a college head-coaching job.

He has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the vacant position at UCLA. But Michigan State was willing to sign him to a five-year, $7.5 million contract, and few other schools are likely to be willing to make such a lucrative offer. Lewis has been a top candidate for several NFL head-coaching jobs, getting passed over by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason despite being the choice of General Manager Rich McKay, and there probably will be a handful of openings around the league next month.

It is not clear whether Lewis will be a leading candidate for any of those vacancies. But he said he is encouraged by the latest step that the league office — which is under increasing pressure because of threatened litigation by attorney Johnnie Cochran — has taken to encourage clubs to consider minority candidates, establishing a committee to address the issue.

“I’m sure it’s going to shed light on the whole opportunity in a big way, and it has,” Lewis said. “The committee formed by the higher-ups within the NFL … that’s a real thing. So I think it’s been a positive.”

Lewis ended his discussions with Michigan State Athletic Director Ron Mason and other school officials late on Wednesday after being intensely recruited for several days. He visited the East Lansing, Mich., school on Monday.

“It’s a great opportunity, and it was something very intriguing — the style of life and so forth, and what it can provide for your family,” Lewis said.

Lewis is about to complete the first season of a three-year contract with the Redskins worth at least $2.7 million.

After Lewis withdrew as a candidate Thursday, AD Ron Mason said he will not talk to candidates who are involved with bowl games until their seasons are over.

“There’s no rush,” he said. “And I’m not talking about it any further at this point.”

A Michigan State source said Lewis and school officials had talked about a contract, but that he was never offered the job.