Pep Hamilton’s career came full circle on Thursday.
Two decades after he broke into the coaching ranks at Howard University, his alma mater, the 44-year-old was introduced as the head coach and general manager of Washington’s new XFL team, which will begin play in spring 2020 at Audi Field … just four miles from Howard’s William H. Greene Stadium.
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After being introduced, Hamilton, whose coaching résumé also includes stints with the Jets, 49ers, Bears, Colts, Browns, Stanford and Michigan, spoke to The Athletic about his latest quest: building a winner in Vince McMahon’s eight-team league.
Q: What’s it like being back in D.C., where you starred at quarterback for the Bison and cut your teeth as a position coach?
A: It’s comforting. It’s great to know that I’ll have a support system. The people that you trust the most are the people that know you and have unconditional love for you. Great example: my college roommate, Jay Walker, is here (at the press conference). He’s a big time politician now up in Annapolis (but) anytime I have tough decisions to make, I bounce things off Jay and (Maryland coach) Mike Locksley, the people I know and trust and people that I know represent my best interests. So it’s great to be back in my comfort zone.
Q: I heard you asked your driver on the way here today to pull over because you saw an old acquaintance walking down the street. True?
A: Yeah, that happened. (Laughter).
Q: After spending so many years coaching in the NFL and NCAA, what convinced you to give the XFL a try?
A: (League commissioner & CEO) Oliver Luck. I trust Oliver. His credibility is second-to-none. It was a process. It started with a visit in Ann Arbor, the summer before we started training camp (as assistant head coach/passing game coordinator) at the University of Michigan.
Then I got an XFL Christmas card. I told my wife, I said, ‘Babe, don’t be surprised if this is something we want to consider strongly.’
Ultimately, it was the chance to be a part of the construction of a football program. My last two stops, I worked for great offensive head coaches (Hue Jackson in Cleveland and Jim Harbaugh at Michigan), but to have an opportunity to scheme up things and do it the way I want to do it, it was something that was alluring and intriguing for me.
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Q: Speaking of Oliver, you coached his son, Andrew, in college and the NFL right?
A: Yes. I coached Andrew for two years at Stanford and I was with him four years with the Colts. That’s where our relationship started. That relationship was really, really important to me being here.
Q: The first iteration of the XFL back in 2001 lasted just a year and was known for its nicknames, politics, sideshows, etc. This time it’s supposedly all about the game of football. Was that important to you?
A: That was really important. Once Oliver was named commissioner and CEO, I had confidence that it would be all about football and the game would continue to be pure.
Q: There’s the NFL. The CFL. The AFL. The AAF. And now the XFL again. Is there enough talent and appetite for all of it?
A: Without a doubt. When you look at the number of college football players that you have, and ultimately only one percent of those college football players have a chance to make it in the NFL, I would guarantee you that the next tier of player is good enough to play a good brand of football and allow us to put an entertaining product on the field. And, at the same time, they have their dreams still in front of them, and that’s to play football and take care of their families playing the game that we love.
Q: The AAF’s television ratings have raised a few eyebrows — in a good way — through the league’s first couple of weeks. What have you thought of their product?
A: Without a doubt, they are setting the table for spring football. We have teams in different markets so there’s enough fans to go around. We’re hopeful that they have continued to success and there will be a lot that we can learn from their experiences. And we wish them all the best.
Q: On the flipside the AAF has already encountered financial woes. Is that at all concerning to you?
A: No concerns on my behalf. That’s the business of football. I’m a football coach (laughter).
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Q: Often, second tier leagues try to avoid major markets. In your case, you’ll be in an NFL market. How do you see the XFL fitting into a big league marketplace that already features the Redskins?
A: I’m a Redskins fan. I don’t see there being any issues. If you have an appetite for great football, then, hey, we are here for you once the Redskins’ season ends. We have a great venue and a great location. It’s going to be a lot of fun to bring your family to this nice, quaint stadium, where you are going to be right on top of the players.
Q: As far as player recruitment, do you envision targeting players with ties to the area?
A: We’ll see. We’ll see. If we have an opportunity to bring a kid that’s from P.G. County, or anywhere in the DMV, to be a part of our franchise, we’re going to give them strong consideration. But you don’t want to limit yourself to just bringing in guys from a certain locale. You have to have a comprehensive process of evaluating players, get the best players you can, then go out and try to win football games.
Q: As you get started on this new journey, what’s your hope?
A: Our goal is always to build a winner, to win football games. That’s going to start with me identifying a staff that shares my passion for the game, that shares my vision for our football program and, more importantly, a staff that can help to evaluate talent and bring guys in that will help us win each weekend.
(Top photo of Pep Hamiton by Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports)
