CLEVELAND -- Romeo Crennel is the man the Cleveland Browns look to every Sunday when they take to the field, but there is much more to him than being a NFL football coach.

Crennel talked exclusively with NewsChannel5's sports anchor Sue Ann Robak about his childhood, coaching and family.

Robak reported that long before Crennel stood on the sidelines at Cleveland Browns Stadium, he grew up in Madison Heights, Va., the oldest of five children.

He said he learned at an early age the value of discipline and doing things correctly.

"My father was an Army sergeant. He ran the household like he did the Army," Crennel said. "Everybody had chores to do and he would come and inspect and make sure everything was done the way he wanted it done. If it wasn't, (he would) get you out of bed and make you redo it."

It's that work ethic that earned him a scholarship to Western Kentucky University. It was there where he met his wife, Rosemary, of 41 years.

"We met there, married when we were young and have been together ever since," he said. "She'll tell people football has a lot to do with it because half the time I'm gone and then the other half I'm home. After I'm home for a while, she gets enough of me and says, 'Well is it time for you to go back to work yet?' "

Robak said it is easy to tell when looking around his office that family matters.

"I've got three daughters -- called it quits after the third daughter," he said. "All guys want a son, if you can have one."

He also has a grandson and two granddaughters.

And although he never had a biological son, he's had many surrogate sons throughout his coaching career.

"When a young man, after he's graduated, comes back or calls you and says, 'Coach, I appreciate everything you did for me,' " he said, "that's something you can't put a price on."

Crennel said that is one of the things that keep him going -- helping young men grow into mature, responsible citizens.