STRANGE: Mark Davis turns to Veteran NFL, NCAA coach after lates blow…
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Pep Hamilton did, in fact, interview as an offensive coordinator candidate after being mentioned as someone who spoke with the Raiders following Kliff Kingsbury’s decision to resign from his position.
Initially, it was unclear if the former Texans assistant coach was in the running for a position coaching job, but after allowing more information to come out, it appears Hamilton is in consideration for the play-calling role.
Hamilton was out of the NFL in 2023 after failing to be retained following the firing of Lovie Smith in Houston. Before that, Hamilton earned his first NFL coordinator job with the Colts back in 2013, following quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford to Indianapolis as his offensive coordinator. Despite being considered for the Raiders’ head coaching vacancy in 2014, Hamilton was fired midway through the following season.
The next several years would be eventful for Hamilton, seeing him spend a year in Cleveland, serving two years of a four-year contract with the University of Michigan, sitting out the 2019 season, and getting hired as the head coach and general manager of the DC Defenders of the XFL. Following his short XFL stint, Hamilton was hired by the Chargers, where, as quarterbacks coach, he would help Justin Herbert earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Hamilton’s success with Herbert led to his next opportunity under David Culley in Houston as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He earned his promotion under Smith the following year.
In Vegas, Hamilton would be tasked with helping to determine the team’s currently uncertain future at quarterback. With veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell on the roster, it doesn’t feel like the position is secure for the Raiders.
