Sources: Colorado Buffaloes to hire Taylor Embree as TE coach

The Colorado Buffaloes are going for the family feel with their coaching hires, it appears. Bringing back former assistant Karl Dorrell was one step, another was promoting his former player Darrin Chiaverini to offensive coordinator, and now they bring in a heritage Buff as tight ends coach.

First reported by Adam Munsterteiger of BuffStampede.com, Taylor Embree will replace Al Pupunu on the Colorado coaching staff. The 31-year-old assistant has been working with his father, Jon Embree, the former CU head coach who may be the most revered tight ends coaches in the NFL.

Embree the younger has spent the past three seasons as an offensive quality control coach with the San Francisco 49ers. Helping an offense with his dad and Kyle Shanahan is basically the best internship possible. Imagine cutting your teeth by helping George Kittle go from raw fifth round pick to a full-fledged superstar.

Not to be forgotten, Embree was a good player himself, as he was a three-year starter at UCLA from 2009 to 2011. Playing on mediocre teams coached by Rick Neuheisel, he finished his career with 137 catches, 1776 receiving yards and 4 scores.

Embree should be seen as an upside hire. He has family ties, NFL experience and Pac-12 connections, but what’s key is that he’s an up-and-coming coach who should grow into the role.