Browns could be losing Pep Hamilton to Michigan

While defensive coordinator Ray Horton could be forced out soon, a key coach on the other side of the ball could also be on the way out, but by his own accord. Saturday morning, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Pep Hamilton, the team’s associate head coach - offense, has been offered a job to coach at Michigan and is considering it:

Rapoport says that the Browns want Hamitlon to stay, but that "he likes being a college coach." In other words, this would not be a firing. If Hamilton departs, it is unclear whether Cleveland would look to replace his position with an offensive coordinator type of role. They could also consider promoting someone from within, such as run game coordinator Kirby Wilson or senior offensive assistant/wide receivers coach Al Saunders.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer says that the position Hamilton has been offered is a quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. The pair worked together at Stanford in 2010, when Hamilton was a receivers coach.

While Hamilton would affect some of the continuity of the offensive staff, Jackson is still the most important person on the that side of the ball. He’d be losing his “right-hand man,” but someone else could presumably step into that role.