Paul Hamilton, whose 22 years of collegiate coaching experience include 7 seasons as head coach at East Tennessee State University, was introduced as Elon's head coach during a news conference at Rhodes Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Details...
Hamilton, the 18th head coach in Elon history, is a veteran of 15 seasons as a coach in the Southern Conference. Most recently, he was the head coach at East Tennessee State from 1997-2003, compiling a 38-41 record. ETSU announced last spring that it would discontinue football after the 2003 season, and Hamilton was praised for maintaining the team’s positive attitude this past fall as the Buccaneers posted a 5-7 record.
“I’m very honored and blessed to be here today,” Hamilton said. “I can tell you that as of today, our football program will set high expectations from the very beginning.”
Hamilton said he was sold on Elon throughout the interview process. “As I walked through the campus and as I learned about Elon, it became obvious to me that it represents first class and it’s about first class. That’s the manner in which we will run our football program and the way we will operate.”
“We are excited to have Paul Hamilton as our head football coach,” said Athletics Director Alan White. “He has tremendous experience in the Southern Conference as both a player and a coach. He is a very knowledgeable, experienced coach, which is what we felt we needed in our new Southern Conference affiliation. Coach Hamilton understands our university mission and possesses the personal values and character that make him a good fit for our program and our university. We are looking forward to our work together.”
Hamilton spent seven seasons (1990-96) as an assistant coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy before taking the helm of the Buccaneers. Prior to that, he served as an assistant at Wofford College for two seasons (1988-89) and an assistant at East Tennessee State for five campaigns (1983-87). He also spent one season (1982) as an assistant at The Citadel and one year (1981) as an assistant at Glynn Academy (Brunswick, Ga.).
A 1981 graduate of Appalachian State University, Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree in science. In 1986, he received a master’s degree in secondary education from The Citadel. Hamilton collected three varsity letters in football at ASU, where he played quarterback and served as a team captain.
“Christmas came early to the Hamilton household. My family and I are greatly blessed to be part of this university,” said Hamilton. “I am very fortunate to coach this game and the young men at Elon University.”
Hamilton and his wife Jane, a native of Spruce Pine, N.C., have three children: a son, Kyle, 20, and two daughters, Jenna, 17, and Alanna, 13.