The Texas Rangers have hired Josh Hamilton's father-in-law, Michael Dean Chadwick, as a special assistant. As the 2010 AL MVP's accountability partner, Chadwick will handle part of the role that Johnny Narron vacated when he became hitting coach of the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason.

Chadwick will travel on the road but isn't likely be in the clubhouse quite as much as Narron, who was also a hitting instructor. Narron came along with Hamilton when the outfielder was traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Rangers prior to the 2008 season.

Hamilton has a history of drug and alcohol addiction and has worked to be sure he stays on the right path. Chadwick himself battled addiction early in his life and was someone who helped Hamilton rehabilitate his life earlier in his career.

Chadwick's name first came up when Narron interviewed for the club's vacant hitting coach position last offseason.

"We had dinner with the Hamiltons before the winter meetings and we suggested that name and they had him in mind as well," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday. "Both parties reached the same conclusion."

Chadwick is clearly someone Hamilton is comfortable with and who knows him well. The Rangers also felt that Hamilton was in a different spot in his life after playing for the Rangers for four seasons.

"When we traded for Josh, we felt that Johnny was a key hire and it turns out he was," Daniels said. "I think we're all a lot more comfortable where Josh is today, including Josh and (wife) Katie. There was a little bit more unknown when he was traded. He'd never played here before, never been on the stage in the same regard. We look at this more as it's a support position more than a necessity."

Chadwick worked with what is now called Youth for Tomorrow, a boys residential treatment program founded by former Washington Redskins coach (and current NASCAR owner) Joe Gibbs.

Chadwick has also been CEO of his home-building and development company in North Carolina. Through the nonprofit Mike Chadwick Ministries, he has shared his Christian faith and the story of his own substance abuse issues he had earlier in life.

Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPNDallas.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.