Pep

Hamilton

The former Colts and Texans offensive coordinator and DC Defenders head coach has not coached professionally since being fired at the end of the 2022 season, doing TV for local Houston stations while his child matriculates through high school. Hamilton would seem to be a strange fit as Patriots head coach at this point, but the Patriots appear to be blitzing through a deep roster of interviews today so we expect some more candidates that are not exactly known quantities to pop up as well.

It’s safe to assume Hamilton is being considered for the team’s offensive coordinator role, although Anderson doesn’t specify in her report. She also doesn’t mention whether or not the two sides had a formal sit down. There’s plenty to still figure out here, as Matt Nagy has been widely assumed to be the next offensive coordinator, but as Anderson states, “The carousel is fluid, with a lot of moving parts still up in the air.” Hamilton has done an impressive job with quarterbacks throughout his career but underwhelmed as the Texans’ offensive coordinator last season.

Hamilton’s offense was extremely cute last season, especially down the stretch when he tried things such as “letting Jeff Driskel be an early-down quarterback.” He’s a good quarterback coach and should find interest around the league in his services, but neither this nor his stop in Indianapolis in the 2010s showed him as a plus playcaller.

Hamilton drew three offensive coordinator interviews this offseason but will remain in Houston as the team begins the Lovie Smith chapter. The Texans were forced to start Davis Mills for 11 games. Mills initially struggled, as was the expectation, but turned things around in the final month of the season. His ability to coach up Mills plus three years of prior offensive coordinator experience with the Colts made him a natural fit for the job. Though the team passed on Josh McCown as their next head coach, he could be brought in to backfill Hamilton’s role in the passing game.

Hamilton has drawn interest from multiple teams including Carolina and Chicago. Both franchises interviewed him as a potential offensive coordinator. Hamilton coached Davis Mills into a solid rookie season despite most having basement-level expectations for him. He also has three years of offensive coordinator experience with the Colts from 2013 to 2015.

Kaplan reports new Bears general manager Ryan Poles will interview Hamilton for the OC position. Packers passing game coordinator Luke Getsy also looks like a favorite to land the job. Hamilton, 47, who turned down an interview with the Panthers this month, could see more potential in a Bears offense complete with potential centerpieces Justin Fields, David Montgomery, and Darnell Mooney. Hamilton could always return for another year of developing Davis Mills and the Texans offense.

There were reports that Hamilton could be a match with the Panthers for their offensive coordinator vacancy, but Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790 is now saying that the 47-year-old will not interview with Carolina. Hamilton is expected to garner interest around the league after exceeding expectations with third-round rookie Davis Mills under center, and he could stay with Houston for another season as well.

As Houston’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2021, Hamilton helped the team get a lot out of third-round rookie QB Davis Mills, who showed signs of promise in the season’s final month. Carolina head coach Matt Rhule’s job status reportedly hinges on luring a “rock star” OC this offseason after Rhule fired former OC Joe Brady in November. Hamilton was the Colts’ offensive coordinator during Andrew Luck’s most productive seasons; Hamilton interviewed for the Raiders’ head coach vacancy in 2014 but was passed over in favor of Jack Del Rio. We’re not convinced Hamilton qualifies as a rock star hiring.

One thing’s for sure: Hamilton -- who was reportedly in the running to be the Dolphins’ new offensive coordinator -- won’t get a shot to coach Deshaun Watson, who has officially requested a trade. Hamilton in 2020 coached the XFL’s D.C. Defenders before becoming the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach, working with rookie phenom Justin Herbert. Hamilton is credited with developing Andrew Luck at Stanford and with the Colts, where Hamilton served as offensive coordinator from 2013-2015. He could be a critical hire if Houston rolls with an inexperienced quarterback in 2021.

Hamilton has a strong reputation but a journeyman recent history, working as the XFL’s “DC Defenders” head coach and general manager last spring before landing as the Bolts’ QBs coach. Before that, Hamilton served as an assistant at the University of Michigan and with the Cleveland Browns following his checkered three-year stint as Colts offensive coordinator from 2013-15. Hamilton, of course, was the position coach for Justin Herbert’s sensational rookie campaign, while he was a key cog in Andrew Luck’s development both at Stanford and in Indy. He would be an outside voice for a Steelers coaching staff that hasn’t had many of them in recent years. It was clear in 2020 that Mike Tomlin’s offense needed a shakeup.