:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48605731/455170928.0.jpg)
Former Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has found another job, as it sounds like he's heading to the Cleveland Browns to join new head coach Hue Jackson's staff.
Recent reports have mentioned that Hamilton interviewed in Cleveland and then that he was considering the assistant head coach/offensive assistant position, and today NFL Media's Albert Breer reported that Hamilton will indeed be joining the Browns to coach quarterbacks.
Per source, Browns have finalized deals to make Ray Horton defensive coordinator and add Pep Hamilton and Kirby Wilson to offensive staff.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 20, 2016
Pep Hamilton will coach the Browns quarterbacks, Kirby Wilson will coach Cleveland's running backs.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 20, 2016
According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, Hamilton will have the job title of assistant head coach/offense, meaning that he will have a nice new position to hopefully lead to him being a hot coaching candidate once again. Breer notes that Hamilton will be coaching quarterbacks, so it's likely that he is taking the position of assistant head coach but will also help particularly with that position.
Hamilton was the offensive coordinator for the Colts from 2013-2015, leading a very successful offensive attack. In 2013, the team set a franchise record for fewest turnovers in a single season, and in 2014 quarterback Andrew Luck set a franchise record with 4,761 passing yards and led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes. In 2015, though, everything collapsed and the Colts' offense really struggled to start the season. It was much more than just Hamilton that was wrong with the offense, but the offensive coordinator wasn't blameless and, with Chuck Pagano fighting for his job, the change was made mid-season as the Colts fired Hamilton after their week eight game against the Panthers. Before his time with the Colts, he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Stanford from 2011-2012 and the wide receivers coach there in 2010. He has also coached quarterbacks for three different NFL teams: the Chicago Bears (2007-2009), the San Francisco 49ers (2006), and the New York Jets (2004).
Hamilton is a smart coach who, though he had his issues in Indianapolis that made his firing understandable and justifiable, can still have success as a coach in the NFL. This job is a chance to prove himself again as he coaches quarterbacks for a team that hasn't had a good one in a long, long time, and if he can help turn things around in Cleveland at the position he should become a rising coaching candidate once again.