The Ascension of Justin Hamilton to Defensive Coordinator – 247Sports

(Photo: Scooter Waller, 247Sports)

On Sunday, Virginia Tech appointed former Safeties Coach Justin Hamilton to the role of Defensive Coordinator. His ascension through the program is quite remarkable, as he reaches the highest defensive position title after two years at the university.

Playing Career

Hamilton, a former Virginia Tech player, played at the University until 2005. He played wide receiver, tailback and safety, recording three touchdown rushes, a touchdown catch and three interceptions in his career as a multi-position player.

He was selected in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round. He played as a rookie but missed the next season due to injury and was waived. He jumped to the Washington Redskins, but only lasted until October 14 of the 2008 season. His NFL career would be over after two seasons.

Coaching Career

Following his playing career, Hamilton moved to University of Virginia - Wise. He served as the defensive coordinator. He then moved to VMI where he coached outside linebackers from 2014-2017.

He re-joined his Alma Mater nearly 12-years following his playing days. He joined as the Director of Plyaer Personnel in 2018. The next season he was appointed Safeties Coach, replacing Tyrone Nix.

Now in 2019, two years after joining the staff, Justin Hamilton has become the next Defensive Coordinator after Bud Foster.

Justin Fuente weighed in on the decision:

"Justin has earned this opportunity to lead our defense and our football team," Fuente said. "Everyone in our program has a great deal of respect for him and his abilities. Coach Foster has reiterated to me on several occasions that Justin is ready for this next step in his coaching career. I feel the same way and am convinced he's exactly the right fit for this role at Virginia Tech. Coach Hamilton is a talented coach and recruiter with a deep passion for both the game and Virginia Tech. He possesses a great knack for connecting with our players. His voice carries tremendous weight on the field and in the locker room because he's worn that helmet and experienced many of the same things the young men in our program are going through."

Bud Foster also chimed in on the decision:

"I couldn't think of anyone better to continue our tradition of Virginia Tech defense than Justin Hamilton," Foster said. "Justin embodied our team-first mentality as a player and did anything and everything we ever asked of him. He was a gritty player and he's exactly the same way as a coach. He's fought and competed for every opportunity he's earned in the coaching profession and I respect the way he's approached it from day one. When we brought Justin back to Virginia Tech, in the back of my head I was hoping that I could help groom him to someday become a defensive coordinator. While I didn't know when or where that opportunity might come, I'm thrilled that it's happened for him at Virginia Tech. "When Coach Fuente asked whether Coach Hamilton was ready, my answer was, 'Absolutely, he's ready. He's a guy who will evolve, learn and get better from every experience,'" Foster continued. "I know Coach Fuente didn't have to ask my opinion, but when he did it just confirmed what we were both already thinking, that we had the right man already in the building to carry the torch for the Lunch Pail Defense. I couldn't be more proud of Justin and I'll continue supporting him and the Hokies in any way I can in my new role away from the field."