OFFICIAL NEWS: Las vegas raiders interview for their OC position today.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it has been confirmed that Pep Hamilton did, in fact, interview as an offensive coordinator candidate after being touted as someone who spoke with the Raiders following Kliff Kingsbury’s withdrawal from the position. After letting more details surface, it seems Hamilton is being considered for the play-calling role. Initially, it was believed the former Texans assistant coach was in the hunt for a position coaching post.
Following Lovie Smith’s departure in Houston, Hamilton was not re-signed by the NFL and left the league in 2022. Prior to that, in 2013, after quarterback Andrew Luck left Stanford to join the Colts as his offensive coordinator, Hamilton was hired as an NFL coordinator for the first time. Hamilton was fired by the Raiders midway through the 2014 season, despite being a candidate for the head coaching position.
Hamilton’s following few years would be filled with events: he would spend a year in Cleveland, complete two of a four-year deal with the University of Michigan, miss the 2019 season, and then be appointed as the general manager and head coach of the XFL’s DC Defenders. After a brief tenure in the XFL, Hamilton was hired by the Chargers, where he assisted Justin Herbert in winning offensive rookie of the year as the quarterbacks coach. His next chance came in Houston, where he worked with David Culley as the quarterbacks coach and coordinator of the passing game, thanks to his success with Herbert. The following year, Hamilton was promoted under Smith.
Hamilton would have to assist in determining the team’s uncertain quarterback future in Vegas. The presence of both rookie Aidan O’Connell and seasoned Jimmy Garoppolo on the team makes it seem as though the Raiders’ starting quarterback situation is precarious. Hamilton’s current rivals for the position look like this:
Commanders’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy: Luke Getsy, the former offensive coordinator for the Bears, recently spoke: 1/20 interview
Former Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton: Interview with former Eagles/49ers head coach Chip Kelly: twice in interviews
Coach of the quarterbacks for the Bucs, Thad Lewis: Interview invited
Senior offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury (USC): stepped away from consideration
49ers pass-game coordinator Klint Kubiak: Dan Pitcher, the Bengals’ quarterbacks coach, could be interviewed: selected as the Bengals OC after interviewing on 1/24
Zac Robinson, the Rams’ quarterbacks coach: Hired as Falcons offensive coordinator after interview
Coach of the Steelers’ quarterbacks, Mike Sullivan, was interviewed on 1/25.
Former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was interviewed on 1/25.
The offensive coordinator for the Seahawks, Shane Waldron, was mentioned as a contender and hired by the Bears.
