INDIANAPOLIS – He might be the quietest of the Colts coaches.
Gary Emanuel returns for a fifth season as the defensive line coach in Indy.
Emanuel is the only Colts assistant to have held the same position title since Chuck Pagano's arrival in 2012.
Get to know Defensive Line Coach Gary Emanuel:
Describe your journey to Indianapolis
"(Smiles) how much time we got? I started at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire. I was the offensive line coach, offensive coordinator and I also was the head basketball coach there. I then went to Westchester College in Pennsylvania. Then from Westchester, I went to UMass and coached outside linebackers. Then to Dartmouth to coach defensive line. Then from Dartmouth to Syracuse, also coaching defensive line. Then from Syracuse to Washington State. Then from Washington State to Purdue, had the defensive tackles/ends there and was the assistant head coach. Then to the San Francisco 49ers to coach the defensive line. Then to San Jose State for d-line. Then San Jose State and Rutgers. Then back to Purdue as defensive line coach and then coordinator. Then to the Colts."Most memorable moment in football
"There are so many good ones. But if I were to have to pick one in the game, it might have been at Purdue when we beat Indiana in the Bucket game to clinch the Rose Bowl berth in 2000."When did you know you wanted to be a coach?
"I think I always knew I wanted to be a coach. My goal, as any athlete, you always want to play at the highest level. Obviously I wasn't talented enough or as fortunate enough to play at the professional level. I always said if I couldn't be a player, I wanted to coach. I liked all sports---basketball, football and baseball. So it really didn't matter. I just had an opportunity in football a little faster than basketball."Favorite part about coaching
"The relationships and watching the guys develop and grow. In college, you get guys who are recruited and then you watch them become freshman, to graduates, become husbands and fathers and onto their careers, whether it's athletically or professionally. Even in the NFL, watching guys develop from their rookie year into their second year and so on down the line."Describe your coaching style
"I pride myself on being a teacher. I've always had this philosophy, don't ask your guys to do something you haven't taught them. You teach. That's why you won't hear me. I'm not a big screamer or yeller. I'm a teacher. If I see something wrong, I'll tell you what needs to be corrected. That's my style."Who was your biggest influence growing up?
"My family. My father. My older brothers. I've got two older brothers so watching their mistakes and getting wisdom from my father. In coaching, one of my freshman coaches, Joe McNeil, was a big influence."Favorite hobby
"I really enjoy hanging with friends and family. You can't call it a hobby. Besides hanging with family and friends, I'd say fishing."Favorite food
"Seafood."Favorite movie
"10 Commandments."Favorite music/genre
"R&B, old school."Favorite quote
"It was something I got back when I first went to college. One of the coaches at Westchester Community College said, 'Do what must be done.' Whether it was on the football field or in life."Favorite place you've traveled
"Aruba."Why Indianapolis?
"Having been at Purdue, the opportunity to be with the Colts. I had been at Purdue for eight years the first time, two the second. So you always had an eye on Indy. When I was coaching up there at Purdue, the opportunity to come to the Indianapolis Colts and work with two great players in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis that was always attractive. Just the program that the Colts had. They were always winning. They always had a successful program. Then just the things I had heard about Chuck (Pagano). And I had a little relationship with Ryan (Grigson). He was with the Eagles and I was the pro liaison at Purdue."Favorite Spot/Part about Indy/Colts
"The people. It's a good, welcoming atmosphere. The quality of people. They treat you with respect. It's not a real hustle and bustle as it is on the eastern seaboard, in the major metropolitan areas."What do you want to see out of your defensive line group?
"You want to have guys who do their job. That's a big quote for us. Guys that are playing hard, aggressive, relentless, that enjoy sacrificing for the betterment of the team. Because in our area, we do all the dirty work and get no credit. Linebackers might make 100 tackles or so but we took a bunch of double teams on and did the dirty work."Family
Wife: Angela.
