Shaun Dion Hamilton is embracing the next chapter of his football career.
After excelling at the University of Alabama and putting time in the National Football League, he is a defensive assistant for the Detriot Lions under Dan Campbell. Hamilton assisted the Lions to a winning season (9-8) in 2022, despite getting eliminated from playoff contention. The 27-year-old is at the Reese’s Senior Bowl coaching defensive backs in Mobile, Ala. Someone helped him through the NFL Draft process in 2018, but now he’s helping others. Brett Greenberg, a digital producer for WKRG TV, captured Hamilton paying homage to Alabama head coach Nick Saban for preparing him to become a coach in the pros.
Former @AlabamaFTBL All-American @iam_sdh20 credited Nick Saban for the position he is in now during Tuesday’s @seniorbowl practice.
“Just the process, man… Now being a coach, I applaud Coach Saban for the amount of work, time and effort he puts in…” pic.twitter.com/B0lM78c89A
— Brett Greenberg (@74Talk) February 1, 2023
“It’s just the process,” Hamilton said. “I’m now a coach, and I applaud Coach Saban for all the work, time, and effort he puts in. I understand and explain to people how in being a coach, you are in charge of the ingredients. People see the cake, but you are in charge of the ingredients. You are in charge of baking the cake, putting all the ingredients in, and serving it to the players.”
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Hamilton, a Montgomery (Ala.) native, played linebacker under Saban from 2014 to 2017.
He was on two College Football Playoff National Championship teams (2015 and 2017) and was a leader on Alabama’s dominating defense in 2016. Hamilton was a marquee athlete at Carver High School before coming to the Crimson Tide.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
