Jaguars must hurry up if they want to call dibs on OC Pep Hamilton

The Jacksonville Jaguars officially introduced Doug Pederson as their new head coach after an exhaustive search. Pederson will now have to put a staff together and Pep Hamilton is a name to keep an eye on for the offensive coordinator job.

Insider Josina Anderson reported on Sunday night that the Jaguars filed a request to interview Hamilton for their offensive coordinator position. Meanwhile, Sara Barshop of ESPN reported late Sunday that Hamilton would join Lovie Smith if the latter becomes the head coach of the Houston Texans.

Smith is a finalist for the head-coaching job in Houston with Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Johnathan Gannon, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and former NFL quarterback Josh McCown no longer seen as viable candidates. In fact, Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network is reporting that Smith will fill the vacancy left by the firing of Dave Culley.

So what does this have to do with the Jaguars? Simple, they had better hurry up do whatever it takes — a serenade or unlimited travel points — if they want to prevent Hamilton from joining Smith’s staff.

Pep Hamilton would be a great mentor for Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence.

Indianapolis Colts senior passing game assistant Press Taylor is getting consideration for a role with the team but it’s uncertain if that job will be as the offensive coordinator. He was Doug Pederson’s quarterbacks coach back with the Eagles, so it makes sense that he would want to bring a familiar face with him to Jacksonville. On the other hand, Hamilton has a more extensive and better resume. He played a key role in Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s early development and could have a positive influence on Lawrence.

Hamilton was the quarterbacks and later receivers coach at Stanford in the early 2010s. He then got a job as the offensive coordinator in Indy from 2013 to 2015. Those were some of Andrew Luck’s best years and before injuries derailed his NFL career. The North Carolina native was hired as the Cleveland Browns’ assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach in 2016. He went on to have a stint as an assistant at Michigan In 2002, he served as a head coach of the DC Defenders before becoming the quarterbacks coach for the Chargers the same year.

Last season, Hamilton was the Texans’ passing game coordinator and may return as their offensive coordinator if the Jaguars don’t act quickly. The truth is that Hamilton is the kind of coach you would entrust with the development of a young quarterback, that’s why it’s not shocking to see the AFC South division rivals try to land his services.

Getting Hamilton would be big for the Jaguars. Pederson could turn his attention to other areas of the team knowing Lawrence is in good hands.