Louisiana Football: Interview with Green Oaks Defensive Coordinator Richard Embry

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

Green Oaks had a rough season in 2016 as the Giants finished 1-9 with their only win coming against Fair Park (14-6) in Week 3 of the season. As soon as the season was over the administration decided it was time for a change and fired their head coach. To guide this program in a new direction the Giants hired Coach Terrence Isaac Sr., formerly of A-Plus Academy Charter in Dallas, to become head coach. After being hired, Coach Isaac announced he would bring along his defensive coordinator, Coach Richard Embry, with him to Shreveport.

The two coaches spent the last two seasons together at A-Plus Academy winning a state championship in 2015. While in charge of the defense over the last seasons, Coach Embry’s unit built a reputation for tough defenses. Now Coach Embry has taken charge of the Green Oaks defense which gave up an average of 30 points a game including letting 9-of-10 opponents score 23 or more points against the Giants.

Coach Embry realized in high school that he wanted to be a coach and a role model for high school athletes. After spending his high school career playing middle linebacker at Paris High School in Paris, Texas, he went on to play linebacker at Navarro Junior College in Corsicana (TX). After winning a conference championship in 2007 and playing for another conference crown in 2008, Embry transferred to Southwest Assembly finishing his collegiate career in 2011. After graduating, Embry took on the job as defensive line coach at his alma mater for one season and then coached the linebackers during his second year. In 2014, Coach Embry joined the staff at Langston University as the defensive ends coach helping the team win a conference championship.

In 2015, Coach Embry interviewed with Coach Isaac to be defensive coordinator at A-Plus Academy and the two coaches have worked closely ever since.

In an exclusive interview I sat down with Coach Embry to talk about his work with Coach Isaac, his transition to Green Oaks and his preparation for his first season as defensive coordinator for the Giants.

Interview

How did your move to Shreveport come about?

“After the season ended, Coach Isaac asked if I was with him and I said yes! In December he told me about the opportunity at Green Oaks and he told me he wanted me to come along and be the defensive coordinator. I trust and respect Coach Isaac so it was an easy decision to go work with him some more.”

What was your first impression of the Giants?

“I knew they had a lot of talent and I got excited beyond measures. Then I watched film and got even more excited to come.”

What is your philosophy on coaching?

“A lot of people find it different but my philosophy is this, if you come out and show effort that beats talent. I will put out the player that shows more effort than the talented player. I coach my players to play how I coach. My cover two and three is different. My players will fit my schemes. I’m not a yeller but I will get hyped up. If you do your job you will get rewarded. I want to see players excel on and off the field, in class, at home, and on the football…. I’m big on respect and respect will reward you. Come out and do your job and protect. Effort plus extra effort equals greatness.”

How did you come up with your philosophy? Have you met with coordinators from colleges or the NFL?

“My mentor, even though I haven’t met him, is Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin. I like his coaching style. I pay attention to his coaching. My kids think I look like him. I also pay attention to Nick Saban (Alabama) and how he coaches.

“Calvin Miller, the defensive coordinator at Langston University, taught me the effort plus extra effort equals greatness. I highly respect him. He taught me so many things. I got a lot of knowledge from him. He always told me not to let other coaches and players dictate how I coach. He told me to run my defense how I feel. I run my defense depending on who we are playing. He runs a 4-3 defense and I’ve stuck with it. I run it a little different though.”

What is your greatest strength in coaching?

“My greatest strength is getting the players to do what I ask but what is needed for them to succeed for themselves not only in football but in life in general.”

What is your process of evaluating your defensive players?

“It’s goes back to the weight room. The kids that do the most in the weight room and work hard, that’s the kid that will actually do something on the field. If you’re lazy in the weight room you’ll be lazy on the football field. I’m always elevating players even when they’re walking around school to see how they show respect to others. I don’t allow walking on the defense. When you get to walking you’ll get outhustled. I evaluate on the field harder because they have to know what’s always going on and they especially have to know what the players in front of you are doing. Coach Isaac trusts me and he gives me a lot of range to do what I want.”

How do you break down opposing offenses and relay those keys to your players?

“First we start with a prayer. We watch film every day Monday through Thursday. I sit my defense down and we go play by play. Film is necessary. You must watch film so you know how to successfully defend an opponent on different downs and distances. We draw up situations for different plays. Whenever we watch film we line up on a board then go outside and run it to see what works.

“I tell my defense always go with a winning mentality. Your linebackers have to know what’s going on because they’re on the field not the coaches. Every Wednesday we have a quiz about an opponent’s formations. We go over everything. My players have to know what’s going on.”

How does Green Oaks look going into the season?

“I firmly believe that we will make waves in Shreveport. They have a lot of talent but without structure it will go out of control. With the foundation we’re putting in we’ll have an awesome season. I’m really excited. La’Cameron Wimbley told me he’s going be my best safety. I got a smile from here to Africa when he told me that because he’s never played for me before but he’s already excited for the season.”

Did you feel any pressure heading into your first season as the Giants defensive coordinator?

“I did not but every once in a while like in game situations I do. A lot of people here wanted change.  I love challenges and never back down. Its football you’re either going to win or lose. If you don’t know how to lose how do you know how to win? If you let pressure get to you it will show on your face and your players will see it.”

What do you think are some of the strengths of this defensive unit?

“My defensive backs but I can’t sleep on my defensive line. I don’t think anyone can outrun my DBs. They have a lot of speed but by the season rolls around my defense will be one unit because that’s how I coach.”

Do you have a quote by a favorite coach or a favorite Bible verse?

“My favorite coach is my mom. She still coaches me and one thing she told me and I have a plaque of it saying “Always do your best and let God do the rest.” I stick by that every day. She told me that in 2007 and I still look back on that today.”

Thank you for your time Coach and good luck in your first season at Green Oaks.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Richard Embry; Coach Embry while coaching college football