Former Colts Coordinator Pep Hamilton Hired as Browns Assistant Head Coach

According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has agreed to become the Cleveland Browns assistant head coach:

After the offense was stalling, the Colts dismissed the 41 year old Hamilton in favor of Rob Chudzinski ahead of the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos this past season.

Hamilton will now join new Browns head coach Hue Jackson‘s staff, but it appears that the latter is expected to actually call the team’s offense’s plays–meaning that Hamilton will likely be utilized for game-planning and as an additional offensive resource.

Despite his firing with the Colts, Hamilton is still apparently highly regarded in league coaching circles. Having lost Andrew Luck in 2 of the team’s first 8 games because of injury (who was struggling beforehand), the offense’s poor play can’t be attributed squarely on Hamilton–who was also forced to call plays with a patchwork offensive line.

It’s worth noting that Hamilton is just one year removed from a season in which the Colts were 6th in points per game at 28.6 ppg, 3rd in total yards per game at 406.6 ypg, and Luck threw a league-leading 40 passing touchdowns.

By all indications, Hamilton was well liked by the players and within the organization. It’s just that an offensive change was sorely believed to be needed. We wish him well with his new coaching endeavors in Cleveland.