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Yesterday, it was reported Michigan wide receivers coach Jim McElwain is a contender for the Central Michigan head coaching gig. Now it is being reported another Michigan assistant coach is up for consideration for a head coaching job.
Michigan passing game coordinator/assistant head coach Pep Hamilton is a finalist for the Maryland head coaching vacancy, according to Emily Giambalvo of The Washington Post.
The two other finalists include Matt Canada, who coached the team during the entire 2018 season, and Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley.
Giambalvo also reports interviews will take place Sunday and Monday, so if Hamilton were to be hired by Maryland, the Wolverines may be without him in their bowl game.
Pep Hamilton, Michigan's QB coach and passing game coordinator, is also a finalist who will be interviewed. https://t.co/VP4Lh1emg4
— Emily Giambalvo (@EmilyGiam) November 30, 2018
Hamilton was rumored to be up for other jobs last offseason, including the head coaching gigs at Arizona State and Mississippi State, and a coaching job with the Oakland Raiders.
The 44-year-old coach has never been a head coach, but has been an offensive coach since his career began in 1997 with Howard University.
It seems like if there were ever a time for Hamilton to take a head coaching job, now would be the time. Michigan had great success at the quarterback position this season under Shea Patterson, and the offense evolved into something Michigan had never seen under Jim Harbaugh. Now may be the time for Hamilton to bolt if he is serious about exploring head coaching opportunities.
It would be interesting to see who Harbaugh would pick to replace Hamilton if he were to be hired by Maryland. Would Harbaugh pick a young offensive genius to turn Michigan’s offense into the offense of today’s modern college football? Or would he turn to his coaching tree and pick someone he already knows and trusts well? Michigan fans would hope for the former, but I would expect the latter.
Only time will tell here, folks, so stay tuned.
Update to original story: Maryland has already conducted an interview with Hamilton and Canada, according to ESPN. Sources also told ESPN a hire could be named next week.
This is a developing story.