Assistant Aircraft Instructor Greg Knapp dies after bicycle accident

[ad_1]

New York Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp, who tutored some of football’s most famous players, has died Thursday after a bike accident last week, his agent confirmed to NBC News.

Knapp, 58, was an avid biker who was riding Saturday in Northern California when a motorist veered into the bike lane and hit the veteran coach in San Ramon, his agent Jeff Sperbeck said on Tuesday.

He never regained consciousness and died Thursday surrounded by his wife, three daughters, mother and brother.

“Greg’s infectious personality is a first and lasting memory of him to most people,” Sperbeek said in a statement. “He has never met a stranger” sums up Knaber’s enthusiasm for life. He had a unique gift that made everyone feel special, and for Naber, they were all.”

This upcoming season was going to be the first for Knapp with the Jets. He and new coach Robert Saleh were appointed in January amid a staff shift hoping to end the five consecutive losing years of the franchise.

Knapp, the team’s passing-games specialist, has been hired to coach rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, a BYU prodigy named by the Jets with the second overall pick for the previous NFL Draft.

Knapp has been a fixture on the NFL coaching staff for the past 25 years, serving as the quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator for some of the league’s most famous passing attacks.

He has served as quarterback coach with the Atlanta Falcons, working alongside Pro Bowl reference Matt Ryan four times over the past three seasons.

Prior to coming to Atlanta, Knapp was the quarterback/passing coordinator for the Denver Broncos, working with Peyton Manning. Knapp’s three season tenure in Denver included the Broncos winning Super Bowl 50.

Broncos player Brandon McManus tweeted in mourning for Fang on Thursday, calling the coach a “cool” person.

“RIP coach Greg Knapp,” McManus said. “He always enjoyed our conversations on and off the field.”

Sacramento State coach Troy Taylor said the school was “sad” over the news, citing Knapp’s history as a Hornet.

“Greg was not only an amazing player and coach for Dorrent, but also one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known,” Taylor said in a statement on Thursday. “His success and humility have been an inspiration to all of us here in Sacramento. We will continue to carry on his legacy within our football program and wish his family and friends peace and comfort during this difficult loss.”

Knapp began attending Sacramento State in the fall of 1983, playing the quarterback and ranking eighth in the school’s history in his career, the university said.

The Las Vegas Raiders, where Knapp was an offensive coordinator when the team was still based in Oakland, were “saddened and stunned” to hear of his death.

“The entire Raider Nation’s thoughts and prayers are with Coach Knapp’s family during this very difficult time,” the team said.

Doha Madani is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: he/she.

David K. Lee is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

[ad_2]