The NFL Network isn’t just adding a former head coach to the 2023 analyst lineup — they’ve also made room for one veteran assistant and past offensive coordinator. His name is Pep Hamilton.
Where Was Pep Hamilton Before the NFL Network?
Hamilton, 48, comes over to NFL Network via the Houston Texans. That means he was on the staff that went through two head coaching changes in back-to-back seasons — as he began with David Culley before working under Lovie Smith.
With the former, Hamilton was passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. For the latter, Hamilton was elevated to offensive coordinator.
Hamilton, however, was never retained by DeMeco Ryans once the former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator was named as Texans head coach this past offseason.
Where Else Has Pep Hamilton Coached?
Before COVID-19 became rampant across the world, Hamilton was given the head coaching and general manager reins for the D.C. Defenders of the XFL. His team went 3-2 before the virus forced the cancelation of the entire 2020 season.
Hamilton’s resume includes stops at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), the Power Five college football realm, and the NFL. Here’s where he’s coached in chronological order:
- Howard University
1997-2001 as both quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Bison. - New York Jets
His first NFL taste came with the Jets, where he began as offensive quality control coach in 2003 before becoming quarterbacks coach in 2004 then wide receivers coach in 2005. - San Francisco 49ers
His first of what would be two tastes of the Bay Area came in 2006, where he was QB coach. - Chicago Bears
He spent three seasons in the Windy City from 2007 to 2009 where he was QB coach. - Stanford
This was when Hamilton had his second Bay Area stop, plus got the chance to work with David Shaw before reuniting at the NFL Network. Hamilton began as WR coach in 2010 (when Jim Harbaugh was still head coach) and then was elevated to OC and WR coach once Shaw was promoted. - Indianapolis Colts
Hamilton made the jump back to the league by serving as Colts OC from 2013 to 2015. - Cleveland Browns
Hamilton then trekked to Cleveland, where he was QB coach and assistant head coach in 2016. - Michigan
Hamilton relinked with Harbaugh in Ann Arbor — handling assistant head coach and passing game coordinator duties from 2017 to 2018. - Los Angeles Chargers
Before the Texans, the Bolts was one of the last league stops for Hamilton as he was QB coach in 2020 — when the team had a young rookie named Justin Herbert.
Along with Herbert, other notable past Pro Bowlers Hamilton worked with include Chad Pennington, Andrew Luck (twice), and Alex Smith.
What Will Pep Hamilton’s Role Be at the NFL Network?
Hamilton is set to be an in-studio analyst for the NFL Network for the Game Day Live coverage. Not only is he working with Shaw again, but Hamilton is joining former Texan J.J. Watt as an analyst for the 2023 season.
Hamilton is also the second veteran NFL assistant joining the network alongside longtime NFL defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.