Chargers make hiring of Hamilton as QB coach official

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Chargers hired Pep Hamilton as quarterbacks coach on Tuesday.

Hamilton was head coach and general manager of the XFL's DC Defenders before the league ended its season after five weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. The XFL announced a couple of weeks later that it was suspending operations. Prior to joining the XFL, Hamilton was Michigan's assistant head coach and passing game coordinator in 2017-18.

Hamilton's last NFL job was in Cleveland as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach in 2016. He was also Indianapolis' offensive coordinator for three seasons (2013-15), along with previous stints with the New York Jets, San Francisco, Chicago and at Stanford.

He moves into the spot previously occupied by Shane Steichen, who was promoted to offensive coordinator.

The Chargers will have a new quarterback for the first time in 14 seasons after Philip Rivers signed with Indianapolis. Tyrod Taylor is in the driver's seat, but Los Angeles also drafted Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick last week.

The Chargers also announced they have signed running back Derrick Gore, who spent time with the team last year during the preseason and on the practice squad. He ended the year on Washington's practice squad.

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