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Tight Ends Coach Jon Embree
Jon Embree's Chiefs Bio
Owning 17 years of coaching expertise and two seasons of NFL playing experience as a tight end, Jon Embree begins his third campaign as the Chiefs tight ends coach in 2008. Prior to arriving in Kansas City, Embree spent three seasons on the staff at UCLA (2003-05) after serving a 10-year stint at his alma mater, the University of Colorado (’93-02).
Combining his experience as both a player and coach, Embree helped TE Tony Gonzalez continue his exemplary level of play in 2007. In addition to making his ninth straight Pro Bowl appearance last season, Gonzalez led all NFL tight ends with 99 catches and 1,172 yards. In total, Embree’s pupils in the Chiefs tight end corps accounted for 38.6 percent of the club’s receiving yards and 37.3 percent of Kansas City’s receptions on the season.
During his time at UCLA, Embree spent one season working with the wide receivers (2003) and two seasons serving as assistant head coach/tight ends coach (2004-05). While with the Bruins, Embree helped current Jacksonville TE Marcedes Lewis emerge as one of the most dominant tight ends in college football. Under Embree’s guidance, Lewis earned the 2005 Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best player at that position, after setting school records for a tight end with 58 receptions and 10 touchdowns as a senior.
Over a 10-year span with the University of Colorado, Embree gained coaching experience on both sides of the ball, working with the tight ends, wide receivers and defensive ends. He coached the Buffaloes tight ends in his first two seasons with Colorado. Upon Rick Neuheisel’s arrival in '95 Embree switched to the defensive side of the ball, instructing the school’s defensive ends. He then returned to coaching tight ends under Gary Barnett in '99. His final coaching assignment with the Buffaloes was working with the wide receivers and kickers during his last two seasons in Boulder (2001-02).
Embree tutored several future NFL standouts during his tenure with Colorado, including veteran TEs Christian Fauria and Daniel Graham, as well as Denver T Matt Lepsis. He first entered the coaching ranks as a volunteer assistant with Colorado in '91 before taking a job at Douglas County (CO) High School as a wide receivers/tight ends coach.
The Los Angeles native enjoyed a two-year NFL playing career after being drafted in the sixth round by the L.A. Rams in the '87 NFL Draft. He appeared in 13 games in two seasons with the Rams (’87-88) before a severe elbow injury in training camp with Seattle cut short his playing career in '89.
A four-year letterman at tight end for the University of Colorado (’83-86), Embree ended his collegiate career ranked in the school’s top five in both career receptions (80) and receiving yards (1,116). He earned first team All-Big Eight honors as a sophomore when he set then-school single-season records with 51 receptions for 680 yards.
Personal Bio
Education: University of Colorado (B.A. '88). Born: Los Angeles, California. Family: Wife - Natalyn; Children - Taylor, who is a freshman on the UCLA football team, Connor and Hannah
