Hamilton resigns post at Georgia Tech | ajc.com

Hamilton resigns post at Georgia Tech
By STAFF REPORTS
Published on: 05/07/08

Joe Hamilton's career on the Georgia Tech football staff ended less than two weeks after it started when he resigned Wednesday, a day after his arrest on charges of drunk driving, hit-and-run, marijuana possession and open container.

Hamilton, the 1999 Heisman Trophy runner-up, had hoped to use his assistant player personnel job as a steppingstone to a position as an on-the-field coach. Instead, he faces charges from an early Tuesday traffic stop on the Tech campus.

Hamilton did not immediately return a voice and a text message sent to his cell phone.

"Today, I sadly accepted Joe's resignation," Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson said in a released statement on Wednesday. "I know he has great love and concern for this program and always will. Both athletic director Dan Radakovich and I made it clear to Joe that we would offer any support he requires in the coming weeks and into the future. Joe will always be a part of the Yellow Jacket family."

He had just joined the Tech staff on April 28. His duties included assisting with recruiting and helping the players.

Hamilton apologized to Tech and professed his innocence after a bond hearing in courtroom in Fulton County Jail Tuesday evening.

Hamilton was pulled over shortly after midnight by a Georgia Tech police officer because his black Ford Expedition matched the description of a car in a nearby hit-and-run crash.

Officers smelled alcohol on Hamilton's breath and asked him if he had been drinking and involved in an accident. Hamilton admitted that he had a few beers and that he hit another vehicle from behind, the report said.

Hamilton failed a series of field sobriety tests, including walking in a straight line and standing on one leg.
Hamilton, 31, received his history, technology and society degree from Tech last August. Since graduating, he has been a personality on Tech's pre-game radio show. He also provided color commentary on the game replays on CSS-TV.

The 5-foot, 10-inch quarterback played for Tech from 1996 to 1999. He led the team to an ACC championship in 1998 and finished second in the Heisman Trophy race the next year. He moved on to play in the NFL and the Arena Football League.

Hamilton resigns post at Georgia Tech ajc.com