Emmitt Thomas returned to his football roots in
Kansas City in 2010, joining the Chiefs as the defensive
backs coach. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 2008 and the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1986, Thomas
played cornerback for 13 seasons with Kansas City (196678) and finished his career with a franchise-record 58
interceptions. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports
Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in
2009.
Thomas enters his 35th season as an NFL assistant
coach (sixth in Kansas City) and his 48th overall NFL
campaign in 2015. He was a member of both of Kansas
City’s Super Bowl squads, registering four INTs during the
club’s postseason run in 1969 that culminated with a win
in Super Bowl IV. He also owns a pair of Super Bowl rings
working on Joe Gibbs’ staff with the Washington Redskins.
In 2014, Thomas’ defensive backs group helped the
Chiefs defense rank second in the NFL allowing only
203.3 passing yards per game and 17.6 points per game.
Also, the group did not allow a 300-yard passer all
season, nor did they allow a completion of 50 or more
yards. In 2013, the club finished first in the NFL in points
off takeaways (147) and finished tied for fifth in points
allowed per game (19.1). S Eric Berry made his third trip
to the Pro Bowl following the 2013 season under Thomas’
guidance.
Prior to re-joining the Chiefs, Thomas spent eight
seasons coaching with the Atlanta Falcons (2002-09),
including a stint as interim head coach for the final three
games in 2007. He owns seven seasons of NFL
experience as a defensive coordinator, including a twoyear tenure in that role with Minnesota (2000-01). The
Vikings won the NFC Central and advanced to the NFC
Championship Game during the 2000 season, and he held
the same capacity with Green Bay (1999), helping CB
Mike McKenzie earn all-rookie accolades.
He served as defensive coordinator for four seasons
in Philadelphia (1995-98). In 1998, the Eagles defense led
the NFL in pass defense (170.0 ypg)
1962-65
1966-78
1979-80
1981-85
1986-94
1995-98
1999
2000-01
2002-09
2010-15
THOMAS' FOOTBALL CAREER
Bishop College (Texas) .................... QB/WR
Kansas City Chiefs .................... Cornerback
Central Missouri ................ Def. Coord. ('79)
Secondary ('80)
St. Louis Cardinals ............. Tight Ends/WRs
Washington Redskins .................. WRs ('86)
Secondary ('87-94)
Philadelphia Eagles .......... Defensive Coord.
Green Bay Packers .......... Defensive Coord.
Minnesota Vikings ............ Defensive Coord.
Atlanta Falcons ............. Secondary ('02-03)
Senior Def. Asst./Secondary ('04-06)
DBs/Interim Head Coach ('07)
Asst. Head Coach/Secondary ('08-09)
Kansas City Chiefs ............ Defensive Backs
and was third in the league in sacks per pass attempt
(8.6). Philadelphia finished fifth in the NFL in total defense
in 1996 and fourth in 1995, advancing to the playoffs
both of those years.
Thomas spent nine seasons as an assistant coach
with Washington (1986-94), where he coached two Pro
Football Hall of Famers – CB Darrell Green and WR Art
Monk. Thomas served as the secondary coach his final
eight campaigns with the Redskins, helping Green earn
three Pro Bowl berths.
Thomas helped guide the Redskins to five playoff
appearances, including wins in Super Bowl XXII and Super
Bowl XXVI. He began his tenure with the club as receivers
coach in 1986 when both Monk and WR Gary Clark
earned Pro Bowl honors.
The Angleton, Texas, native began his NFL coaching
career as the wide receivers/tight ends coach with the St.
Louis Cardinals (1981-85). Under Thomas’ tutelage, WR
Roy Green tied for the NFC lead with 78 receptions in
1983. He began his coaching career at Central Missouri
(1979-80).
On 58 INTs in 181 regular season games, he
recorded a Chiefs record 938 INT return yards and
produced five INT return TDs and seven fumble
recoveries. He was named to the Pro Bowl or the AFL AllStar Game on five occasions and was a first-team All-Pro
selection in 1974 when he led the NFL with 12 INTs. He
won two AFL titles with the Chiefs and was a member of
the club’s Super Bowl I squad, as well as the club’s team
that claimed a victory in Super Bowl IV. Thomas joined
the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 1966 from
Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, where he played
quarterback and wide receiver.
Education: Bishop College (B.S. 1965). Born:
Angleton, Texas. Family: Wife - Jacqui; Children - Derek
and Dedra.
Kansas City Chiefs • 1
Kansas City Chiefs • 2