Pep Hamilton Reportedly New Head Coach/GM Of DC’s XFL Team

Pep Hamilton has reportedly left Michigan Football’s Coaching Staff earlier this week as The Assistant Head Coach Of The Wolverines and is back in the world of Professional Football just after a couple of days. Per a report from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Hamilton will reportedly become The New Head Coach/General Manager of The XFL’s Washington D.C. Franchise.

SOURCE: Pep Hamilton, who’d resigned Monday at #Michigan to pursue other opportunities, is expected to become the new head coach and GM of the XFL’s new Washington, DC franchise. Word is he’s been working on getting a staff together the past week or so.— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 7, 2019

The XFL, founded by WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, is currently scheduled to begin play in February 8th & 9th 2020, just days after The NFL’s Super Bowl concludes.

Pep Hamilton’s Background

Hamilton left his position as Michigan’s Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator earlier this week after two seasons in Ann Arbor, working closely with Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh with the passing game & Offense overall. Harbaugh hired Josh Gattis from Alabama last month to be Michigan’s New Offensive Coordinator & Play-Caller. Ben McDaniels has since been named Michigan’s Quarterbacks Coach, replacing Hamilton.

Pep Hamilton’s Salary

Hamilton originally agreed to a four-year deal with an annual salary of $1 Million for the first three years and $1.25 Million for the fourth year. He received a $150,000 signing bonus in early 2017 and received a $450,000 retention bonus in 2018. He was scheduled to make $1 Million with another $250,000 in retention money through The 2019 season before making $1.25 Million in 2020. It is unclear what Hamilton’s financial settlement agreement with Michigan is at this time.

For Hamilton, it will be a return to Professional Football after two years away from The NFL. He came to Michigan in 2017, replacing Jedd Fisch, after spending a season as The Assistant Head Coach of The Cleveland Browns. Prior to that, Hamilton was The Offensive Coordinator for The Indianapolis Colts from 2013-2015.

Hamilton previously worked with Harbaugh & Quarterback Andrew Luck at Stanford in 2010. Luck’s father, Oliver Luck, is The Current Commissioner & CEO of The XFL. Hamilton has also had experience in The NFL as The Assistant Coach For The New York Jets, The Chicago Bears & The San Francisco 49ers.

Hamilton has ties to The Washington D.C. Area too, having graduated from Howard University, the same place he got his start as a football coach. With Hamilton joining The XFL as one of The League’s Head Coaches, it is not a bad lineup for the league to start with, especially considering the pedigree Hamilton has. The XFL has a long way to go before it can reach an elite level in the world of Professional Football, but it is currently on the right track. This falls in line with this weeks XFL coach hiring of Bob Stoops.