Off-field staffer returns to Florida after brief stint at TAMU

Off-field staffer Joe Hamilton has returned to the Florida football program after a brief stint with the Texas A&M Aggies. The former Gators analyst had accepted a position in College Station back in February, but reported back in his previous office in Gainesville, according to a Swamp247 report.

Hamilton joined the Orange and Blue when Billy Napier was brought in to take over back in 2022, beginning as a personnel analyst before being promoted to assistant director of player personnel/NFL liaison ahead of the 2023 campaign. The Lewisville, Texas, native returned to the Lone Star State with the title of Assistant Recruiting General Manager at TAMU.

Apparently, things did not work out with the Aggies and he traced his steps back to the Swamp. But for good reason.

Napier’s relationship with Hamilton precedes their collaboration at Florida dating back to their time with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. There, the two spent a trio of seasons together and brought in the top recruiting class in the Sun Belt Conference all three years.

The coveted staffer is also credited in part for bringing five-star 2024 quarterback recruit DJ Lagway — a native of Willis, Texas — into the fold.

DJ Lagway’s trainer JP Tillman chimes in

“I had talked to DJ about some schools really early on and he told me Florida was his dream school,” Tillman told Swamp247 previously. “I had already been familiar with Coach Napier and Coach (Ryan) O’Hara from ULL, and I am also friends with Joe Hamilton at Florida.”

As it turns out, Hamilton did in fact play an important role in luring the blue-chip passer to Florida.

“So when DJ told me he liked UF that much, I called Coach Joe and kind of checked what their interest would be,” he continues. “They came out and watched him a few times before they even offered. He visited, got offered, and the rest is history.”

Florida’s 2024 season opener

The Florida and the Miami Hurricanes open their schedule on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida. Kickoff time is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ABC Sports.

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