COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland Football Head Coach Michael Locksley announced the hiring of Pep Hamilton as Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach for the Terrapins on Tuesday afternoon.
“Pep is one of the most well-respected offensive minds in our business and his addition to the Maryland football family is significant,” said Locksley. “Pep has consistently developed players over his career, succeeding at all levels and always bringing out the best in everyone he works with. Additionally, Pep and I share many of the same core values and offensive philosophies, which will allow for a smooth transition.”
Hamilton, who brings 25-years of coaching experience with him to College Park, has worked for eight different NFL teams during his career, including serving as the Offensive Coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts (2013-15) and the Houston Texans (2022).
Maryland will be Hamilton’s fourth coaching stop at the collegiate level, having started his career at Howard University and later serving as the Offensive Coordinator for Stanford and working in the Big Ten as Michigan’s Assistant Head Coach/passing game coordinator from 2017-18.
Hamilton has worked with and developed several outstanding college and professional quarterbacks during his coaching career, including Justin Herbert, Andrew Luck, Kevin Hogan, Alex Smith, Jay Cutler and Chad Pennington.
Since serving as Offensive Coordinator for the Texans, Hamilton has worked as an in-studio analyst for the NFL Network in addition to training various quarterbacks around the country.
Hamilton’s Coaching Career & Accomplishments
· Has 15-years of coaching experience in the National Football League.
· Has previously served as the Offensive Coordinator for the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Stanford Cardinal and Howard Bison.
· As the passing game coordinator / quarterbacks coach for the Texans in 2021, Hamilton worked closely with rookie QB Davis Mills, as he set the franchise record for passing yards by a rookie (2,664 yards). Mills had one of the most efficient rookie seasons in NFL history under Hamilton's guidance, completing 66.8 percent of his passes for the third-best completion percentage in NFL history among first-year quarterbacks.
· In 2020, Hamilton served as the quarterbacks coach for the Chargers and was instrumental in the development of QB Justin Herbert, who went on to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Herbert's 31 passing, touchdowns are the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history and his 4,336 passing yards are the second-most in league history. As a unit, the Chargers offense was the ninth-best in the league (382.1 yards per game) and notched the sixth-most passing yards per game (270.6).
· Serving as the Head Coach & GM of the XFL’s DC Defenders in 2020, Hamilton had his team tied for first in the East Division before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
· As the primary offensive play caller at Michigan in 2018, Hamilton helped guide the Wolverines to a 10-3 record and rank second in the conference by averaging 35.2 points per game.
· As the OC in Indianapolis, Hamilton guided the Colts to two AFC South division titles and an appearance in the 2014 AFC Championship Game.
· The Colts offense set franchise records for passing yards (4,894) and net yards (6,506) during the 2014 season, with the passing total leading all NFL teams. The team also recorded the second-most points (458) and third-most first downs (371) in team history. During that season, quarterback Andrew Luck led the NFL with 40 passing touchdowns and set a Colts record with eight straight 300-yard passing games. Hamilton's offense also featured two tight ends with eight receiving touchdowns each and had a receiver gain 1,300 yards.
· In his first year with the Colts, Hamilton helped Luck trim his interception total in half; 18 as a rookie to nine in 2013. Indianapolis led the NFL and set a franchise record for fewest turnovers (14) and the running game had its highest rushing total (1,743) in seven seasons.
· In 2010, Hamilton joined Jim Harbaugh's staff at Stanford as the wide receivers coach. He served as the Cardinal's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2011-12 seasons, working closely with Luck, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and Pac-12 Player of the Year. Luck also won the 2011 Maxwell Award as the nation's top player.
· Hamilton spent eight seasons in the NFL before going to Stanford. He was the quarterbacks coach with the Chicago Bears for three seasons (2007-09) and was the offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers (2006) and New York Jets (2004-06). Hamilton was an offensive quality control coach with the Jets (2003) and started his NFL experience as a pro personnel intern with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2002 season. He also did internships with the Washington Redskins (2001) and Kansas City Chiefs (2000).
· Hamilton began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Howard University, for five seasons (1997-2001). Hamilton added the role of offensive coordinator to his responsibilities during his final three seasons.
· Hamilton earned his bachelor's degree in business from Howard University in 1997. He played quarterback at Howard and earned the school's scholar-athlete award in 1995 and 1996.
Hamilton’s Coaching Timeline
2025: Maryland, Offensive Coordinator & QB Coach
2022: Houston Texans, Offensive Coordinator
2021: Houston Texans, Passing Game Coordinator & QB Coach
2020: Los Angeles Chargers, QB Coach
2020: DC Defenders, Head Coach & General Manager
2017-18: Michigan, Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator
2016: Cleveland Browns, Associate Head Coach/Offense
2013-15: Indianapolis Colts, Offensive Coordinator
2011-12: Stanford, Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach
2010: Stanford, WR Coach
2007-09: Chicago Bears, QB Coach
2006: San Francisco 49ers, Offensive Assistant/QB Coach
2004-05: New York Jets, Offensive Assistant/QBs
2003: New York Jets, Offensive Quality Control
2002: Baltimore Ravens, Pro Personnel Intern
1999-2001: Howard University, Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1997-98: Howard University, QB Coach
Hamilton’s Personal File
Full Name: Alfonza “Pep” Hamilton
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School: West Charlotte (N.C.)
College: Howard University, 1997 (B.A., business)
“Pep is one of the most well-respected offensive minds in our business and his addition to the Maryland football family is significant,” said Locksley. “Pep has consistently developed players over his career, succeeding at all levels and always bringing out the best in everyone he works with. Additionally, Pep and I share many of the same core values and offensive philosophies, which will allow for a smooth transition.”
Hamilton, who brings 25-years of coaching experience with him to College Park, has worked for eight different NFL teams during his career, including serving as the Offensive Coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts (2013-15) and the Houston Texans (2022).
Maryland will be Hamilton’s fourth coaching stop at the collegiate level, having started his career at Howard University and later serving as the Offensive Coordinator for Stanford and working in the Big Ten as Michigan’s Assistant Head Coach/passing game coordinator from 2017-18.
Hamilton has worked with and developed several outstanding college and professional quarterbacks during his coaching career, including Justin Herbert, Andrew Luck, Kevin Hogan, Alex Smith, Jay Cutler and Chad Pennington.
Since serving as Offensive Coordinator for the Texans, Hamilton has worked as an in-studio analyst for the NFL Network in addition to training various quarterbacks around the country.
Hamilton’s Coaching Career & Accomplishments
· Has 15-years of coaching experience in the National Football League.
· Has previously served as the Offensive Coordinator for the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Stanford Cardinal and Howard Bison.
· As the passing game coordinator / quarterbacks coach for the Texans in 2021, Hamilton worked closely with rookie QB Davis Mills, as he set the franchise record for passing yards by a rookie (2,664 yards). Mills had one of the most efficient rookie seasons in NFL history under Hamilton's guidance, completing 66.8 percent of his passes for the third-best completion percentage in NFL history among first-year quarterbacks.
· In 2020, Hamilton served as the quarterbacks coach for the Chargers and was instrumental in the development of QB Justin Herbert, who went on to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Herbert's 31 passing, touchdowns are the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history and his 4,336 passing yards are the second-most in league history. As a unit, the Chargers offense was the ninth-best in the league (382.1 yards per game) and notched the sixth-most passing yards per game (270.6).
· Serving as the Head Coach & GM of the XFL’s DC Defenders in 2020, Hamilton had his team tied for first in the East Division before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
· As the primary offensive play caller at Michigan in 2018, Hamilton helped guide the Wolverines to a 10-3 record and rank second in the conference by averaging 35.2 points per game.
· As the OC in Indianapolis, Hamilton guided the Colts to two AFC South division titles and an appearance in the 2014 AFC Championship Game.
· The Colts offense set franchise records for passing yards (4,894) and net yards (6,506) during the 2014 season, with the passing total leading all NFL teams. The team also recorded the second-most points (458) and third-most first downs (371) in team history. During that season, quarterback Andrew Luck led the NFL with 40 passing touchdowns and set a Colts record with eight straight 300-yard passing games. Hamilton's offense also featured two tight ends with eight receiving touchdowns each and had a receiver gain 1,300 yards.
· In his first year with the Colts, Hamilton helped Luck trim his interception total in half; 18 as a rookie to nine in 2013. Indianapolis led the NFL and set a franchise record for fewest turnovers (14) and the running game had its highest rushing total (1,743) in seven seasons.
· In 2010, Hamilton joined Jim Harbaugh's staff at Stanford as the wide receivers coach. He served as the Cardinal's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2011-12 seasons, working closely with Luck, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and Pac-12 Player of the Year. Luck also won the 2011 Maxwell Award as the nation's top player.
· Hamilton spent eight seasons in the NFL before going to Stanford. He was the quarterbacks coach with the Chicago Bears for three seasons (2007-09) and was the offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers (2006) and New York Jets (2004-06). Hamilton was an offensive quality control coach with the Jets (2003) and started his NFL experience as a pro personnel intern with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2002 season. He also did internships with the Washington Redskins (2001) and Kansas City Chiefs (2000).
· Hamilton began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Howard University, for five seasons (1997-2001). Hamilton added the role of offensive coordinator to his responsibilities during his final three seasons.
· Hamilton earned his bachelor's degree in business from Howard University in 1997. He played quarterback at Howard and earned the school's scholar-athlete award in 1995 and 1996.
Hamilton’s Coaching Timeline
2025: Maryland, Offensive Coordinator & QB Coach
2022: Houston Texans, Offensive Coordinator
2021: Houston Texans, Passing Game Coordinator & QB Coach
2020: Los Angeles Chargers, QB Coach
2020: DC Defenders, Head Coach & General Manager
2017-18: Michigan, Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator
2016: Cleveland Browns, Associate Head Coach/Offense
2013-15: Indianapolis Colts, Offensive Coordinator
2011-12: Stanford, Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach
2010: Stanford, WR Coach
2007-09: Chicago Bears, QB Coach
2006: San Francisco 49ers, Offensive Assistant/QB Coach
2004-05: New York Jets, Offensive Assistant/QBs
2003: New York Jets, Offensive Quality Control
2002: Baltimore Ravens, Pro Personnel Intern
1999-2001: Howard University, Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1997-98: Howard University, QB Coach
Hamilton’s Personal File
Full Name: Alfonza “Pep” Hamilton
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School: West Charlotte (N.C.)
College: Howard University, 1997 (B.A., business)
