pep hamilton

Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (L) talks with offensive assistant Pep Hamilton (C) next to Cody Kessler on the bench against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter, January 1, 2017, at Heinz Field. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

(John Kuntz)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Browns associate head coach/offense Pep Hamilton is weighing an opportunity to be reunited with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, a league source confirmed for cleveland.com.

Hamilton previously worked for Harbaugh at Stanford in 2010 as receivers coach. Harbaugh is looking for a quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported that Hamilton is considering leaving. He says the Browns want him to stay, and that it's Hamilton's choice because he likes coaching in college.

Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown even cited Hamilton as a key part of the search for a franchise QB.

"We will work collaboratively on it,'' he said. "Pep, myself, Hue, AB (Andrew Berry), we will all sit down and make sure that we watch plenty of tape on all the eligible quarterbacks this year and make a decision that we feel is the best for the organization. It will be an organizational decision."

If Hamilton leaves, Jackson will be replacing his top two assistants -- and more. Hamilton didn't call the plays, but coached the quarterbacks and helped coordinate the passing game.

Ray Horton is expected to be fired soon and possibly replaced by Gregg Williams, a source told cleveland.com. According to Alex Marvez of The Sporting News, Williams has until Monday to decide if he wants the job.

A source said they also reached out to fired Jaguars coach Gus Bradley, but he's unlikely to come here. He's a top candidate to run the Redskins' defense.

Other assistants, especially on defense, will be let go, sources have told cleveland.com. Running game coordinator Kirby Wilson, a longtime friend of Jackson's, is safe, a source said. Beyond that, anything can happen.

It remains to be seen if the staff shakeup will have any impact on the Browns coaching in the Senior Bowl Jan. 24-28. Losing teams are invited to coach, but only if their head coach and a majority of their staff is intact. The Browns suddenly find themselves in the midst of a potential full-blown shakeup.

Phil Savage, former Browns general manager and Executive Director of the Senior Bowl, explained in a Twitter response, "The NFL determines coaches, typically w/ assurance that any changes won't compromise staff for practice/game.''

Hamilton, who was fired by the Colts midway through the 2015 season, had a challenging 2016 with the Browns. He lost his top two quarterbacks in each of the first two weeks in Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown, and was forced to start a rookie in Cody Kessler for eight games.

The Browns finished 30th overall on offense, including 19th against the rush and 28th against the pass. They were 31st in points per game.

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