The Patriots reportedly interviewed a candidate who is very familiar with a rookie quarterback on the team.
According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, New England interviewed longtime NFL assistant Pep Hamilton for its vacant head-coaching position Tuesday. The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates. The Patriots reportedly interviewed Byron Leftwich and Hamilton, meaning they satisfied the rule requirements and can hire any candidate they wish.
Hamilton has been out of the NFL since 2022 and is most known from his tenure as Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator from 2013-15. His last position was Houston Texans offensive coordinator and his only head-coaching experience was in the XFL with the DC Defenders.
The 50-year-old also was an assistant head coach and passing game coordinator under Jim Harbaugh from 2017-18 at Michigan. In his final year, he coached Joe Milton III, who praised Hamilton for his development. Hamilton is still a fan of the Patriots rookie as in September, he ranked Milton as his fifth-best quarterback in football under 25 years old.
It’s unknown where Drake Maye would fall on that list, but Hamilton has experience developing young quarterbacks and has familiarity with at least one person at One Patriot Place.
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New England also reportedly scheduled interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Patriots Hall of Famer Mike Vrabel.
Featured image via Troy Taormina/Imagn Images
