Ex-Georgia Tech QB Hamilton resigns after pot, DUI, hit-and-run charges

ATLANTA -- Former Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton resigned from his position at the school Wednesday, a day after he was charged with marijuana possession, driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run.

The charges came about a week after the 31-year-old was hired as the school's assistant director of player personnel.

"Today, I sadly accepted Joe's resignation," said Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson, who offered the school's support. "I know he has great love and concern for this program and always will."

The alleged hit-and-run collision occurred near the Georgia Tech campus. Charles Curry Jr. of Decatur told police he was stopped at a red light when he was hit from behind. Curry said the other motorist drove off.

Hamilton was pulled over later by an officer who matched his vehicle with the description of the car involved in the incident.

The officer smelled alcohol on Hamilton, who acknowledged he hit another car from behind, according to the police report. Hamilton failed a series of field sobriety tests, and the officer reported that he found the open bottle of beer and a marijuana cigarette in the vehicle's ash tray.

Hamilton recorded blood-alcohol contents of 0.193 and 0.199 in two tests, according to the police report. The legal limit in Georgia is 0.08.

Hamilton, one of Georgia Tech's most popular and successful quarterbacks, led the Yellow Jackets to the 1998 Atlantic Coast Conference championship and finished second in the 1999 Heisman Trophy balloting.

He was hired on April 28 as an assistant in the school's player personnel department, a job that focuses on recruiting and serving players' needs.