As the New England Patriots build out their new coaching staff under new head coach Mike Vrabel, they are reportedly targeting a current member of the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coaching staff.
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Patriots are “targeting” Colts’ assistant defensive backs coach Justin Hamilton for a role on the New England defensive staff.
The #Patriots are targeting #Colts assistant defensive backs coach Justin Hamilton for a role on their defensive staff, sources tell me and @TomLoy247 for @CBSSports/@247Sports.
The ex-Virginia Tech star safety was Virginia Tech’s defensive coordinator in 2021 and ‘22. Worked… pic.twitter.com/5ibLb0D5OI
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 30, 2025
The 2024 season was Hamilton’s first with the Colts, working under now-former defensive backs coach Ron Milus on Gus Bradley’s defensive staff.
Of note when it comes to the Patriots’ interest in Hamilton, he was the Tennessee Titans’ defensive quality control coach in 2023, working alongside Vrabel at that time.
Before making the leap to the NFL level with Tennessee in 2023, Hamilton was the Virginia Tech defensive coordinator from 2020-2021.
As new Colts’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo builds out his own defensive staff, what we know right now is that Charlie Partridge will remain the defensive line coach, while James Bettcher will be the new linebackers coach.
As we detailed recently, the Colts do still have an opening at this time for their defensive backs coaching role.
For what it’s worth, while Milus coached the defensive backs under Bradley, the Bengals under Anarumo had a separate cornerbacks coach and safeties coach. We will see if the Colts take that approach this season.
