Hamilton spent the 2023 season with Mike Vrabel’s Titans.
Another former Mike Vrabel assistant could be making his way to New England. Justin Hamilton, who served as a quality control coach under Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans in 2023, is being targeted by the Patriots for a role on their defensive staff.
Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports was first to report the Patriots’ interest in Hamilton, currently the assistant defensive backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
A running back, wide receiver, defensive back and special teamer at Virginia Tech, Hamilton entered the NFL as a seventh-round selection by he Cleveland Browns in the 2006 draft. Between stints in Cleveland and Washington, he ended up appearing in 12 total games over the course of his pro career.
Hamilton received his first coaching opportunity in 2010, first as strength and conditioning coach and later defensive coordinator at Virginia-Wise. Via a stop as linebackers coach at VMI, he eventually returned to his alma mater in 2018. Over the next four years, he was responsible for player development on defense, coached the Hokies’ safeties, and eventually was named defensive coordinator.
In 2023, Hamilton returned to the NFL as a member of Mike Vrabel’s Titans staff. He joined the Colts the following offseason, after Vrabel was fired in Tennessee.
If indeed reuniting with his old head coach in New England, Hamilton would become the seventh addition to the Patriots’ defensive coaching staff this offseason.
The team announced Terrell Williams as its new coordinator on that side of the ball. It has also added Zak Kuhr, Clinton McMillan, Kevin Richardson, Milton Patterson and Scott Booker in undisclosed roles.