Expanding their search to include some former head coaches, the Panthers are not expected to meet with one of their preferred candidates. Texans quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton is expected to pass on an interview with the Matt Rhule-led team, Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790 tweets.
The former Colts OC might have another option. Despite the Texans axing David Culley and OC Tim Kelly, Hamilton remains on the radar to rise to the offensive coordinator role under the next Houston head coach, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports tweets.
This would certainly be an interesting move, as head coaches frequently bring in their own OCs. It is not known if the Texans would insist their next coach keep Hamilton on staff, but Wilson adds that the veteran NFL assistant looms as a “strong” in-house replacement option. Hamilton has no history with the Patriots, making 2021 his first season under GM Nick Caserio.
It would make sense to keep a familiar voice on staff for Davis Mills, who showed considerable progress once named the team’s full-time starter in December. Although the Texans’ offense ranked 30th this season — featuring evolving skill-position personnel and Laremy Tunsil missing most of the year — Mills rebounded after a difficult start, steering the team to an upset win over the Chargers and finishing the season with a three-touchdown, no-interception game in a narrow loss to the Titans.
The Texans are looking for an offensive coordinator for the first time in three years. They promoted from within previously, elevating Kelly to the role in 2019. Kelly, however, had an extensive history under then-HC Bill O’Brien. Hamilton, 47, has been with five teams — the Browns, Michigan, the XFL’s D.C. Defenders, the Chargers and Texans — since his three-year Colts OC run ended after the 2015 season. Hamilton mentored Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert in 2020. The Panthers have interviewed seven candidates, including former HCs Jay Gruden and Ben McAdoo, for their OC position.
I can’t imagine Goodell is too pleased seeing Hamilton turn down an interview. It certainly undermines attempts to make the Rooney Rule effective.
Goodell doesn’t have the cajones to mention it publicly
This says more about the Panthers’ dumpster fire than it does the Rooney Rule.
So they might fill an assistant coaching prior to hiring a head coach? Sounds very Houston.
I’ve like Pep for a long time. I don’t blame him, or anyone really, for not wanting this lame duck gig.
Tepper said he wouldn’t settle for mediocrity in Carolina. Well, it didn’t take him long to see that through…. Panthers don’t even qualify as mediocre anymore. Congrats. Sigh.
Wish this guy would replace Matt Canada
what if Texans adopting the “summer of George” where they do everything the opposite … and it WORKS! … 1-keep Pep Hamilton to be OC … 2- for Brian Flores as HC … and 3- in turn that keeps the addicted massage “experimentalist” while plays WILLINGLY QB DWatson …and finally 4- Texans become an over .500 team