Emerson retired in 1937 to become line coach under Potsy Clark for the Brooklyn Dodgers, but then briefly returned as player.
Finally retiring in 1939, Emerson returned to Detroit, working in the personnel department of the Ford Motor Company and coaching at Wayne State University.
Transferred back to the United States, Emerson coached the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi team until his discharge.
In 1976, he coached football and taught American history at St. Louis Catholic School until his final retirement in 1985.
The Professional Football Researchers Association named Emerson to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2010.