Hamilton, who was fired by XTRA Sports 1360 in that station's on-air purge in October, has been hired by Compass Media Networks to call national NFL games.

Westwood One, which has the rights to carry about half the teams in the NFL on a national basis, has a contract with XX Sports 1090.

Sports USA has rights to several other NFL teams and has a contract with XTRA Sports 1360. But Sports USA is said to be on its last legs.

Compass Media Networks has national contracts with the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, among other teams, and has a contract for games to be carried on L.A.'s powerful KLAC 570.

"I've been pursuing this relentlessly, but it all came together very quickly," said Hamilton, a Rancho Bernardo resident. "It's very exciting. The NFL is my passion. It's nice to have someone value your work."

Compass has two play-by-play teams. Hamilton will pair with former NFL receiver Curtis Conway. The other team will consist of Chris Corrino ---- the longtime voice of the NBA's New Jersey Nets ---- and former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger.

In the last five years, only one NFL play-by-play job ---- for the San Francisco 49ers last year ---- has come open.

Hamilton broadcast Chargers games for 12 seasons and did a one-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks. He also did broadcasts for USC, Arizona State and San Diego State. Hamilton is currently working for XM Radio's MLB Home Plate channel.

"I've been a free agent for nine months, and it hasn't been fun," Hamilton said. "It has been a tough go. My home survived, but a lot of homes around me burned down in the fires last year. Then I lost my job, my mother passed away, and my son (a state meet qualifier at Rancho Bernardo High and now a college wrestler) was injured.

"Adversity will test you. And I've certainly been tested. It's just great to be back."