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For Immediate ReleaseJanuary 24, 2013
BROWNS ADD TWO TO COACHING STAFF
The Cleveland Browns today named Brian Baker as their outside linebackers coach and Jon Embree as tight ends coach.
“Brian’s addition to our staff gives us another coach with extensive NFL experience,” said Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski. “His players have consistently achieved a great deal of success and he has coached numerous Pro Bowl-caliber players. He has coached in several defensive schemes in his career and that versatility will be valuable as he works with Ray (Horton) and the rest of our defensive staff.
“Jon is an outstanding football coach, and he has proven himself at the collegiate and NFL levels. He has coached some outstanding players in this league, and has also been instrumental in developing players in college who have gone on to productive pro careers. We believe he can have a great impact on our tight ends, and I look forward to working with him.”
Baker brings 29 years of coaching experience, including 17 on the professional level. He spent the past two seasons (2011-12) as the defensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys following two seasons (2009-10) as the Carolina Panthers’ defensive line coach. In 2010, defensive end Charles Johnson led the Panthers with 11.5 sacks, which was tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. In 2009, defensive end Julius Peppers led the team with 10.5 sacks en route to a Pro Bowl selection. Prior to arriving in Carolina, Baker spent three seasons (2006-08) coaching the St. Louis Rams’ defensive line. In 2006, defensive end Leonard Little tied for fifth in the league with 13 sacks. Baker spent five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings serving as defensive line coach (2001 and 2004-05) and linebackers coach (2002-03). He helped defensive tackle Kevin Williams earn his first of first of six Pro Bowl selections after recoding a career-best 11.5 sacks in 2004. Prior to Minnesota, Baker was the Detroit Lions’ defensive line coach from 1997-2000. Under his tutelage, defensive linemen Robert Porcher (1997 and 1999) and Luther Elliss (1999 and 2000) were selected to the Pro Bowl. Baker made his NFL coaching debut as the defensive line coach with the San Diego Chargers in 1996 after spending 12 years on the collegiate level. He had stints at Georgia Tech (1987-95), Army (1986) and Maryland (1984-85). While with Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets claimed the 1990 National Championship as the nation's only unbeaten team with an 11-0-1 record. A native of Baltimore, Baker played outside linebacker at the University of Maryland from 1981-83. He and his wife, Nevada, have three daughters, Nicole, Jade and Jasmine.
Embree brings 21 years of coaching experience, including the last two (2011-12) as the head coach at the University of Colorado. In total, he has spent 17 years as the University of Colorado as a player and coach. In addition to his head coaching stint, Embree spent 11 seasons (1991, 1993-2002) as an assistant coach with the Buffaloes following a standout collegiate career, where he was a four-year letterman (1983-86). He spent three seasons at UCLA, first as assistant head coach/wide receivers (2003) and then as assistant head coach/tight ends (2004-05). While with the Bruins, he helped shape tight end Marcedes Lewis who would win the 2005 John Mackey award, given to the nation’s top tight end. Embree spent the next three seasons (2006-08) as the tight ends coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. Tony Gonzalez was selected to the Pro Bowl each season under Embree and led all NFL tight ends with 268 receptions and 3,130 receiving yards during that three-year span. Embree spent one season (2010) coaching the tight ends with the Washington Redskins before returning to Colorado as head coach. As a tight end, Embree was a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1987 NFL Draft and played two seasons with the Rams before suffering a career-ending elbow injury in 1989, while with the Seattle Seahawks. A native of Englewood, Colorado, Embree earned his degree in communications in 1987. He and his wife, Natalyn, have two sons, Taylor and Connor, and one daughter, Hannah.
