Feb. 3, 2017
THE FLATS – Coaching veteran Paul Hamilton and former Yellow Jackets wide receiver Kevin Cone have joined Georgia Tech’s football staff as associate director of player personnel and assistant director of operations, respectively.
Hamilton comes to The Flats after spending the past 10 seasons as the head coach at Brevard College in Brevard, N.C. He was at the helm during Brevard’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, leading the Tornados to a 7-4 record in just their second season as an NCAA member in 2009.
A 36-year coaching veteran, Hamilton also served as a head coach at the NCAA Division I-AA/FCS level at East Tennessee State (1997-2003) and Elon (2004-05). He and Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson both got their first head-coaching jobs in the Southern Conference in 1997 with Hamilton at ETSU and Johnson at Georgia Southern. They coached against each other in the SoCon for five seasons before Johnson moved on to Navy in 2002.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Paul to our staff,” Johnson said. “As a longtime coach, he has an experienced eye for talent that will be a terrific asset for us in our player personnel area.”
Hamilton’s career also includes stints as an assistant coach at The Citadel (1981), ETSU (1983-87), Wofford (1988-89) and Air Force (1990-96). He played quarterback at Appalachian State from 1978-80 and graduated from the school in 1981. He earned a master’s degree in secondary education from The Citadel in 1986.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be at Georgia Tech,” Hamilton said. “It is a privilege to work with Coach Johnson and to be a part of what this special place represents.”
Cone played wide receiver at Georgia Tech from 2008-10 after transferring from Shorter College following his freshman campaign. He caught six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown as a senior in 2010.
He went on to enjoy a six-year career in professional football, highlighted by three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2011-13). He played in 29 games over his three campaigns with the Falcons, including all 16 contests in 2013. He closed his playing career with stints with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“I’m excited to welcome Kevin back to The Flats,” Johnson said. “He’s a very talented young professional with a great passion for Georgia Tech and a first-hand knowledge of our program.”
Cone, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech in 2010, worked for renowned engineering firm Morrison Hershfield before returning to The Flats. His ties to Tech run deep, as both of his parents graduated from the Institute and his father, Ronny, played football for the Yellow Jackets (1979-83) before being selected in the 10th round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
“I’m extremely grateful and excited to be back at Georgia Tech,” Cone said. “I’m looking forward to the season and to doing what I can to help the program win.”
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