NFL coach Greg Knapp dies from injuries sustained in San Ramon bike crash

Last Updated on July 22, 2021 by CCAR Staff

Longtime NFL coach Greg Knapp has passed away from injuries sustained in Saturday’s bike crash, when a car struck him near his Danville home. He was 58.

Knapp, according to sources, sustained serious brain trauma as well as other injuries. He’d been in Walnut Creek’s John Muir Health Medical Center since the incident, and his death at 11:32 a.m. was confirmed by a hospital spokesman.

“We all miss Knapper and I believe he has touched us deeply,” said Jim Mora, a longtime friend and coaching colleague. “Greg loved to laugh, tease, live large and loud, and love on his family and friends. He was a sincere man who we all loved, trusted and respected.”

Mora visited Knapp in the hospital this week and relayed updates to their close friends. Mora and Knapp coached together on the 49ers from 1997-03 under Steve Mariucci and then Dennis Erickson. Knapp served as offensive coordinator when Mora coached the Atlanta Falcons (2004-06) and Seattle Seahawks (2009).

A Seal Beach native who attended high school in Huntington Beach, Knapp served as an NFL assistant for over 25 years, starting with the 49ers in 1995. He was hired this year as the New York Jets’ passing game specialist under new coach Robert Saleh and spent this offseason tutoring rookie quarterback Zach Wilson.

Knapp coached with the 49ers (1995-2003) and the Raiders (2007-08, 2012) as part of a 26-year career in which he specialized in quarterbacks. He was Peyton Manning’s quarterback coach when the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium to cap the 2015 season.

He also coached with the Falcons (2004-06, 2018-20), the Seahawks (2009), the Houston Texans (2010-11), the Broncos (2013-16) and the Jets (2021). From 2001-09, he served as an offensive coordinator with the 49ers, Falcons, Raiders, and Seahawks, and he returned in that capacity on the 2012 Raiders.

When Knapp was out of the NFL in 2017, he continued to coach, doing so on the San Ramon Valley High junior varsity softball team that included his step-daughter Natalie.

He began his coaching career at Sacrament State from 1986-94, after playing there as a record-setting quarterback. He’d initially gone from Huntington Beach High to UC Santa Barbara before transferring and sparking the Hornets’ program.

“My career’s gone fast. I’ve been very fortunate,” Knapp told the Sacramento Bee in February 2016. “I’ve survived the ups and downs of this profession, and in each move, I’ve gained more. … Heck of a ride.”

During his time as a Sacramento State assistant, he made it to several NFL training camps as a player or coaching intern, including stops with Kansas City (1986), the L.A. Raiders (1987-90) and the 49ers (1992-94),

Knapp is survived by his wife, Charlotte, and three daughters, Jordan, Natalie and Camille.

According to a statement from San Ramon police Lt. Tami Williams, officers responded to the area of Dougherty and North Monarch roads around 2:50 p.m. Saturday. The unidentified driver swerved into the bike lane when Knapp was struck, the coach’s agent, Jeff Sperbeck, told NBCNews.com.

Former colleagues throughout the NFL mourned Knapp’s death, while many tried to fondly recall his bellowing laugh, insightful instruction and obvious love for family and friends.

He not only coached players on his NFL teams, he mentored coaches, and he was a fixture running quarterback drills at the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

As the Jets noted on his bio, Knapp coached a handful of Pro Bowl quarterbacks: Manning (2013-14), Steve Young (1998), Jeff Garcia (2000-02) and Michael Vick (2004-05).