| Greg Knapp | |
| Position: | Quarterback |
| Birth Date: | March 5, 1963 |
| Birth Place: | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Walnut Creek, California, U.S. |
| High School: | Huntington Beach (CA) |
| College: | Sacramento State |
| Undraftedyear: | 1986 |
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| Pfrcoach: | KnapGr0 |
Gregory Fishbeck Knapp (March 5, 1963 – July 22, 2021) was an American professional football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He served as an assistant coach for 25 seasons with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football and later coached at California State University, Sacramento.
As a quarterback at Sacramento State University, Knapp enjoyed a distinguished career where he ranked among the Hornets' career leaders with more than 3,800 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes. He went to training camps with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1986, Los Angeles Raiders from 1987 to 1990, and the San Francisco 49ers in 1992 to 1994.[1] [2] [3] Prior to joining the 49ers as a coach, Knapp spent nine years on the coaching staff of Sacramento State, as running backs coach from 1986 to 1989, receivers coach from 1989 to 1990, and offensive coordinator/assistant head coach from 1991 to 1994. Knapp's coaching career at Sacramento State included the 1988 season where Sacramento State reached the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Football Championship.[4]
Knapp spent nine years in various positions with the San Francisco 49ers: offensive quality control from 1995 to 1997, quarterbacks coach from 1998 to 2000, and offensive coordinator from 2001 to 2003, featuring the West coast offense.[5]
Knapp was named offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons from 2004 to 2006, helping to form Michael Vick at quarterback as a potent two-way offensive threat. The 2004 Atlanta Falcons finished first in the NFC South with an 11–5 record.
Knapp then went to the Oakland Raiders as offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008.
In 2009, Knapp was hired by the Seattle Seahawks as offensive coordinator.[6]
Knapp was the quarterbacks coach of the Houston Texans from 2010 to 2011, helping mold Matt Schaub into a premier quarterback. The 2011 Texans finished the season 10–6 and first place in the AFC South.
Before the start of the 2012 NFL season, he was named by new head coach Dennis Allen, whom he met as a fellow coach in Atlanta, as offensive coordinator of the Raiders a second time around. To strengthen the offensive line, the Raiders' general manager, Reggie McKenzie, picked the Texans' right guard, Mike Brisiel, as a free agent. After a season marked by a switch to a zone-blocking scheme at Knapp's urging, and the resulting ineffectiveness of the Raiders' key offensive threat, running back Darren McFadden, Knapp was relieved of his duties as the Raiders offensive coordinator on December 31, 2012.
Knapp was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos on January 18, 2013.[7]
On February 7, 2016, Knapp was part of the Broncos coaching staff that won Super Bowl 50. In the game, the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 24–10.[8]
After Vance Joseph was hired as head coach for the Broncos, he and Knapp parted ways.
On January 22, 2018, Knapp returned to the Atlanta Falcons as their quarterbacks coach.[9]
On January 18, 2021, Knapp was hired by the New York Jets as their quarterbacks coach under head coach Robert Saleh.[10]
On July 17, 2021, Knapp was struck by a motorist while riding his bicycle in San Ramon, California, near his home. He died from his injuries five days later in a hospital in Walnut Creek, California, at the age of 58.[11] [12]
Knapp was survived by his daughter, Jordan, wife, Charlotte, and two stepdaughters, Natalie and Camille.[13] At the time of his death, he lived in Danville, California.[14]