Ex Jets Coach Hired by AFC East Rival

The New England Patriots are hiring ex New York Jets running backs coach Taylor Embree.

The New York Jets will be seeing a familiar face on the sidelines of their bitter AFC East rivals during the upcoming season. 

The New England Patriots, per CBS Sports, are planning to hire former Jets running backs coach Taylor Embree to the same position on the staff of new head coach Jerod Mayo. 

Embree, 35, was named the running backs coach for the Jets in 2021, working under head coach Robert Saleh. During his three seasons with Gang Green, he helped develop running back Breece Hall into a key role on the Jets offense. 

Former New York Jets running backs coach is headed north to the New England Patriots :: Cred:Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire

Though Hall suited up for only seven games in his rookie season — after suffering a torn ACL — he still compiled 1457 yards on 303 carries and nine rushing touchdowns in 24 career games as a Jet. He also caught 95 passes for 809 yards and five touchdowns as a backfield receiver. In the process, he has emerged as one of the most exciting dual-threat backs in the NFL. While his talent remains the most significant reason for his success, Embree’s tutelage has helped to shape Hall into a multi-faceted offensive weapon.

In 2024, Embree will be succeeded by former Tennessee Titans tight ends coach Tony Dews, who was hired last month to serve as New York’s running backs coach under offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.  

Embree began his coaching career by accepting a graduate assistant position at UNLV in 2012. After one season with the Rebels, he laterally moved back to his alma mater (UCLA,) where he served in the same capacity for the Bruins through the 2015 season.

Though his pro coaching tenure began in 2016 as a defensive assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs, Embree joined the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive quality control coach in 2017. There, he worked alongside his father, Jon, — who is currently the currently the tight ends coach for the Miami Dolphins. He remained with the Niners through the 2019 season.

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Embree returned to college football in 2020 as the tight ends coach at Colorado, serving on the staff of first-year head coach Karl Dorrell. He spent one year with the Buffaloes, before following Saleh — with whom he worked as a member of the 49ers — to East Rutherford for a job with the Jets. 

New York announced in January that Embree would not be returning for 2024, choosing instead to move forward with Dews. 

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