Former Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton is making his rise in the world of NFL assistant coaches. He’s now reportedly in line for his first post as a primary position coach in the league.
According to Matt Zenitz with CBS Sports/247 Sports, Hamilton is set to be promoted to the post of linebackers coach for the Detroit Lions on Dan Campbell’s staff. Hamilton began his coaching career with the Lions in 2022 and has served as the assistant LBs coach since 2023.
The former Crimson Tide defender is reportedly viewed as a rising star at just 29-years-old. He spent 3 seasons as a player with the Washington Football Team (2018-20) and spent 2021 with the Lions before transitioning into a coaching role in 2022.
While at Alabama, Hamilton was a part of 2 national championship teams for Nick Saban in 2015 and 2017. He appeared in 15 games with 27 total tackles in the 2015 season but was limited to 9 games with 40 tackles in 2017.
The reported promotion for Hamilton fills the vacanct LB coach post left behind by fellow SEC star Kelvin Sheppard. A former LSU linebacker, it was reported on Saturday that Sheppard is being promoted to the defensive coordinator post for Detroit with Aaron Glenn leaving for a head coaching job.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.