Stanford’s Hamilton to replace Arians as Indy’s offensive coordinator
From the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts today hired Pep Hamilton as the team’s offensive coordinator. Hamilton comes to Indianapolis following three seasons on the Stanford University coaching staff, his last two as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Pep Hamilton is a sharp, detailed and innovative coach who is a rising star in this business, said Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson. “Everything I have gathered about him besides his impressive football background is that he expects greatness from himself and those around him. His great success at Stanford and his familiarity with Andrew and Coby is obviously a major plus for us moving forward. That combined with his prior NFL experience makes this a very strong and positive acquisition for the Horseshoe. We couldn’t be happier to have Pep part of the Colt’s family.”
I am thrilled to have Pep as our new offensive coordinator, said Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano. He’s had success everywhere he’s been and his familiarity with guys like Andrew and Coby will make him a great fit for our team. I can’t wait to start working with him as we get ready for next year.
Hamilton worked closely with current Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year (2010 and 2011) and the Maxwell Award winner for the National Collegiate Player of the Year and the Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year. Luck threw 82 touchdown passes in 38 career games, breaking John Elway’s career record for touchdown passes. Luck also moved to the top of Stanford’s career list in total offense.
First of all, I’m very happy for Coach Arians and I wish him nothing but the best in Arizona, said Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. I really enjoyed working with him this season, and I’m very thankful for all of his guidance. I’m thrilled to be able to reunite with Coach Pep here in Indianapolis. He was a tremendous mentor of mine at Stanford and he is going to have our offense playing at a high, energetic level.
Andrew (Luck) and I are excited to have coach Pep here in Indianapolis, said Colts tight end Coby Fleener. To have a coach you have worked with in the past who has a familiarity of the offense will serve this team well. Coach Pep has been successful at Stanford and I know he’ll do the same here.
In 2012, Hamilton and the Cardinal were the victors of the 99th Annual Rose Bowl as the team compiled a 12-2 record (8-1 Pac-12). Stanford averaged 27.9 points per game and 374.4 net yards per game. Hamilton tutored quarterback Kevin Hogan who completed 109-of-152 passes for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns after being inserted as the starter for the remaining five games of the season.
In his first season as Stanford’s offensive coordinator in 2011, the Cardinal scored a school record 561 points while averaging 43.2 points per game, which ranked seventh in the nation. The offense also set school single-season records for total offense (6,361) and finished eighth in the country in net yards per game (489.3).
As Stanford’s wide receivers coach in 2010, Hamilton coached a total of 17 players who caught passes, including 10 who hauled in at least one touchdown from Luck. Stanford’s wide receivers and tight ends combined to catch a school-record 32 touchdowns, while setting the single-season record for scoring (524), scoring average (40.3) and total offense (6,142 yards).
Prior to joining Stanford, Hamilton spent seven seasons in the NFL. He served as the quarterbacks coach of the Chicago Bears (2006-2009) and was an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 2006. Hamilton was with the New York Jets for three seasons holding titles as the wide receiver coach (2005), offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach (2004) and offensive quality control coach (2003). He also logged three seasons as a player personnel intern for the Kansas City Chiefs (2000), Washington Redskins (2001) and Baltimore Ravens (2002).
In his final season as the quarterbacks coach for the Bears, Hamilton guided Jay Cutler who set single-season franchise records for completions (336) and passing attempts (555). In 2008, Kyle Orton compiled the fifth-highest completion percentage in team history (58.5) while finishing sixth in franchise annals in passing yards (2,972).
With the 49ers, Hamilton helped groom Alex Smith to become the first quarterback in team history to take every snap from center over an entire campaign (2006). He also worked closely with Jets quarterback Chad Pennington in 2004 as New York started 5-0 start prior to Pennington’s injury, which forced him to miss the next three games.
Hamilton began his coaching career at his alma mater, Howard, where he served as the Bison’s quarterbacks coach from 1997-2001. He also took on duties as the team’s offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001). A former college quarterback, Hamilton earned Howard’s scholar-athlete award on two consecutive occasions (1995 and 1996) before earning his business degree in 1997.
