Paul Hamilton was named the new head football coach at Elon University, the school's Director of Athletics Dr. Alan White announced on Tuesday.

Hamilton, who is the school's 18th football coach, left East Tennessee State where he served as the head man for seven seasons.

"We are excited to have Paul Hamilton as our head football coach," said White. "He has tremendous experience in the Southern Conference as both a player and a coach."

At ETSU, Hamilton led the Buccaneers to a 38-41 record from 1997-2003. Prior to his time at ETSU, Hamilton served seven seasons as an assistant coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Hamilton, who will lead Elon into its 83rd season of intercollegiate football, has a vast amount of experience coaching and playing in the Southern Conference.

He has been an assistant at conference foes Wofford (1988-89), East Tennessee State (1983-87) and The Citadel (1981). Hamilton won three letters at quarterback and was captain at Appalachian State in 1981.