THE PENDULUM
Volume 31, Issue 13
December 1, 2005
'If it matters to you, it matters to The Pendulum.”
Hamilton fired?
www.elon.edu/pendulum
f
File Photo
^oac/) Paul Hamilton (above) announced his resigna-
on Sunday ni^t after the conclusion of his second
at E/on. He had an 6-16 record over the two sea-
during which controversy and rumors flew
J^ndcamn,,.
Mike Vivenzio
Reporter
Elon University announced the resigna
tion of head football coach Paul Hamilton
late Sunday night. The resignation came
only a week after Hamilton and the
Phoenix recorded their seventh straight
loss, a 52-14 beating at the hands of
Southern Conference opponent
Appalachian State University.
The resignation of Hamilton seemed
sudden, especially considering he had
another year remaining on his contract.
Hamilton cited personal reasons for his res
ignation and has not been available for con
tact since the news was announced. There
is no word as to whether Hamilton is still in
Elon.
The question that begs to be asked is
whether or not Coach Paul Hamilton did in
fact resign on his own accord.
Alan White, Elon University Athletic
Director, would not comment on any of the
personal issues. However, White did say
that the University wanted to have a new
head coach named by the Christmas hoU-
day and that they were not planning on
waiting to announce the signing of a new
Athletic Director. “The search will be
moving very quickly,” White said. “It is
important to get this setded as quickly as
we can for recruiting purposes.
While moving quickly for recnuting
purposes is die politicaUy correct thing to
say, devoting only two weeks to the search
and signing of a new head footbaU cc^h
sounds a litde short. This adds more fuel on
the already burning question of Hamilton’s
so-called resignation.
“The general consensus was that
Hamilton was asked to resign,” said senior
safety Anthony Harris. Harris’s remarks
were confirmed by a source close to the
football team who wished he remain
anonymous saying, “He was forced to
resign.”
“After two losing seasons, you have to
win in the Southern Conference or they are
going to get rid of you,” Harris said. “If
we were winning it wouldn’t be a problem.
Last year there was a quarterback contro
versy. This year, Kye improved throughout
the preseason and throughout the season.
He did not play badly and he was the best
person for the job.”
If Hamilton was in fact asked to resign
fiom the University, it might have been a
blessing in disguise. “Hamilton did not
feel that the athletic department was pro
viding the team with the best situation to
win,” Harris said. ‘The university would
not allow certain junior college transfers
and did not put lights on the practice field
so that the team could practice at night
There were things that he couldn’t get
done, the little things that would have
helped tiie team succeed.”
Hamilton’s tenure at Elon University
was always overshadowed by his decision
to start his son, sophomore Kye Hamilton,
at quarterback. Overlooked were all the
things he did do for the university, such as
recruiting and signing John Taylor. He also
is responsible for movuig Chad Nkang
fiom fidlback to Unebacker, developing
sophomore tailback Reggie Hall and bring
ing a more entertaining style of football
back to Elon after the A1 Seagraves era. Not
to mention having a quarterback throw for
over 1,000 yards two years in a row, a feat
that has not been accomplished since the
early 1990s.
The things that Hamilton will be remem
bered for are for the wrong reasons. He will
be remembered for his 6-16 record in two
seasons as head coach, for his offense not
being able to be consistent and for the con
stant quarterback controversy.
“He loved everyone at that University,”
said Kye Hamilton. “I think a lot of people
don’t know the good things. How hard he
fought for his kids. I know that all he want
ed was for us to be successful. He wanted
to tum this thing around. He wanted to turn
this program into a Southern Conference
program that was well-respected. One
where opposing coaches didn’t look at
Elon University as a cupcake.”
The sudden resignation has not seemed
to go over well with the team. “I think he
did a great job,” said sophomore receiver
Michael Mayers. “I tiiink he had too much
on his plate. If the offense doesn’t woric,
die first person you blame is the coach, the
second is the quarterback, and since the
coach and quarterback were in the same
family, he (Hamilton) got himself in trou
ble. I think that wherever Hamilton goes
next he will be a great coach.”
So what is next for Coach Hamilton and
for Kye? “Right now it’s crushing me
inside. I’ve been with these guys blood,
sweat and tears for two years, they are like
family,” said Kye Hamilton. ‘This is my
last semester at Elon University. It would
just be best for me personally and my fam
ily for me not to be here and not having to
See HAMILTON p. 5
FEATURES
Waiting for
winter break?
Check out these
Christmas movies in
the mean time.
See p. 14
ENTERTAINMENT
Thinic you’re
walking a thin iine?
Check out the review of
“Walk the Line,” about die
life of Johnny Cash.
See p-19
SPORTS
Did you miss tlie
game itigiilights?
Check out all the mens’
and womens’ game
recaps for the year.
See p. 21