Hamilton was 38-41 at East Tennessee State

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ELON, N.C. -- Paul Hamilton was hired as Elon's football coach Tuesday after losing his job when East Tennessee State eliminated its program.

Hamilton replaces Al Seagraves, who left last month after eight seasons.

"Christmas came early to the Hamilton household," the coach said Tuesday.

Hamilton went 38-41 during seven years at East Tennessee, which ended football after 80 seasons because the program was losing money. East Tennessee and Elon are in the Southern Conference.

Seagraves coached Elon for eight years, taking it from Division II to I-AA. The school went 2-10 overall and 1-7 in its first season in the Southern Conference, including eight straight losses to end the season.

In its final season, East Tennessee went 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the conference.

Hamilton spent seven seasons as an assistant at Air Force before going to East Tennessee. Elon athletic director Alan White said Hamilton's experience in the conference was important.

"He is a very knowledgeable, experienced coach, which is what we felt we needed in our new Southern Conference affiliation," White said.

Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press

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