While it remains unclear whether the job was formally offered, Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis on Monday removed himself from consideration for the current head coaching vacancy at Michigan State, ESPN.com has learned.

Believed to be the candidate atop the Spartans' wish list, Lewis huddled with school officials on Monday. It marked at least the second meeting in recent weeks between Lewis and university representatives. But less than 24 hours after various media outlets all but conceded the job to Lewis, and suggested he would likely accept it this week, he opted against it.

Lewis returned to the Washington area on Monday evening and informed some Redskins staffers that he was staying.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported Tuesday that Michigan State has intensified its pursuit of Lewis, pressing him to accept a $1.5 million-per-year offer and giving indications that he would remain free to explore NFL head coaching opportunities while with the Spartans.

Lewis said early Tuesday night that he had not made a decision and would not do so before Wednesday.

"I don't want to talk about that," Lewis told the Post. "Monday and Tuesday aren't good days to worry about that stuff."

It is not immediately known where Michigan State will turn, since the school was so focused on Lewis, and felt he could provide an immediate fix to a program where the talent cupboard is not bare. Lewis' candidacy was boosted by a strong recommendation from former MSU coach Nick Saban, now at LSU, and endorsement from several NFL officials.

"He was definitely the guy and, truthfully, they felt they had him," said a source at the university. "Whether or not they offered him the job... well, it's just bantering semantics, because everybody knew it was his if he wanted it."

Lewis, 44, has long been regarded as one of the NFL's top coordinators and over the last two offseasons interviewed for head coach openings with the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. He appeared set to succeed Tony Dungy in Tampa Bay this spring before ownership changed its mind and sought Jon Gruden instead.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.