Alfonza "Pep" Hamilton (born September 19, 1974) is an American football coach. He was previously the head coach and general manager of the DC Defenders of the XFL, and the quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, and was most recently the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL).
 Hamilton as head coach of the DC Defenders in 2020 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | September 19, 1974 Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | West Charlotte (Charlotte, North Carolina) |
| College: | Howard (1993–1996) |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | XFL: 3–2 (.600) |
| Record at Pro Football Reference | |
Playing career
editCollege
editA native of Charlotte, North Carolina who graduated from West Charlotte High School, Hamilton played quarterback from 1993 to 1996 at Howard University. While at Howard, Hamilton earned the team's scholar-athlete award in 1995 and 1996.[1]
Coaching career
editEarly career
editHamilton started his coaching career at Howard University, where he served as the team's quarterbacks coach before becoming the team's offensive coordinator. Hamilton coached in the National Football League for the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers before taking a position as quarterbacks coach for the Chicago Bears on March 5, 2007.[1]
College coaching
editIn 2010, Hamilton was hired by the University of New Mexico Lobos after Tee Martin left for the Kentucky Wildcats and was named co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. However, after Ron Turner left Stanford for the Indianapolis Colts, Hamilton left New Mexico before the start of the season to be the wide receivers coach at Stanford.[2] In 2011, he was promoted to offensive coordinator under new head coach David Shaw.[1]
Indianapolis Colts
editIn 2013, Hamilton was named as the new offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts, after former OC Bruce Arians left to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. The move reunited Hamilton with former Stanford starting quarterback Andrew Luck, tight end Coby Fleener, and wide receiver Griff Whalen.[3] Hamilton turned down an offer to become the offensive coordinator of the Virginia Tech Hokies, citing a desire to be reunited with his former protege Andrew Luck.
On December 30, 2014 the Oakland Raiders interviewed Hamilton concerning their coaching vacancy, but opted to hire Jack Del Rio.[4]
On November 3, 2015, the Colts fired Hamilton.[5]
Cleveland Browns
editIn January 2016, Hamilton was named as the associate head coach and quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns.[6]
Michigan Wolverines
editIn 2017, Hamilton was signed by the Wolverines to a four-year $4.25m contract.[7]
DC Defenders
editIn February 2019, Hamilton joined the XFL's DC Defenders to be their head coach and general manager for the 2020 XFL season.
Los Angeles Chargers
editIn April 2020, Hamilton joined the Los Angeles Chargers to be their quarterbacks coach for the 2020 NFL season. He was an integral part of the success of Justin Herbert who won the offensive rookie of the year award.[8]
Houston Texans
editOn March 10, 2021, Hamilton was hired by the Houston Texans as their passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach under head coach David Culley.[9] On February 7, 2022, Hamilton was promoted to offensive coordinator.[10] After the season, he was not retained.[11]
Head coaching record
editXFL
edit| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| DC | 2020 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | TBD | 0 | 0 | .000 | TBD |
| Total | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0 | 0 | .000 | |||
References
edit- ^ a b c "Stanford Announces Changes to Football Coaching Staff" (Press release). Stanford Department of Athletics. February 2, 2011. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ Biggs, Brad (March 9, 2010). "Stanford loses one ex-Bears coach, hires another". ChicagoBreakingSports.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- ^ Copeland, Kareem (January 18, 2013). "Indianapolis Colts hire Pep Hamilton to run offense". National Football League. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ "Report: Raiders seek to interview Pep Hamilton". December 31, 2014.
- ^ "Colts fire offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton". November 3, 2015.
- ^ "Former Colts Coordinator Pep Hamilton Hired as Browns Assistant Head Coach". January 20, 2016.
- ^ "Michigan becomes first public institution to pay three assistants $1 million a year". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 25, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ "Report: Chargers hiring Pep Hamilton as quarterbacks coach". April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Houston Texans Announce 2021 Assistant Coaching Staff". HoustonTexans.com. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ "Houston Texans Hire Lovie Smith as Head Coach". HoustonTexans.com. February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ "Sources: Texans didn't retain offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton". Click2Houston.com. February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.