Meet the Broncos’ New QB Coach Hire Greg Knapp

Greg Knapp during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Reliant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Texans 25-20. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY) Sports

Per the Broncos Media Relations Department:

The Denver Broncos hired Greg Knapp as quarterbacks coach on Friday, Head Coach John Fox announced.

Set to begin his 19th season in the NFL, Knapp, 49, has served as a quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator in each of the last 15 years.

“Greg is a proven, experienced coach with a very impressive background working with quarterbacks,” Fox said. “He’s had success with Pro Bowlers and established players while also being instrumental in the development of younger quarterbacks. I’ve coached against him for a number of years and have a lot of respect for him. We are pleased to add someone of his caliber to our coaching staff.”

Before his most recent assignment as offensive coordinator with the Raiders in 2012, he led the offensive staffs for Seattle (2009), Oakland (2007-08), Atlanta (2004-06) and San Francisco (2001-03). He also coached quarterbacks for Houston from 2010-11, in addition to coaching that position with the 49ers from 1998-2000.

During his NFL career, Knapp’s quarterbacks have combined to play in nine Pro Bowls. Steve Young(1995-98) and Jeff Garcia (2000-02) were chosen to represent San Francisco, respectively, and Michael Vick(2004-05) was selected as a member of the Falcons.

In addition to his work with established veterans such as Young, Matt Hasselbeck and Carson Palmer, he has helped develop young passers like Garcia, Matt Schaub and T. J. Yates.

As Oakland’s offensive coordinator last season, Knapp directed the NFL’s eighth-ranked passing unit, as Palmer totaled the third-most passing yards (4,018) of his career while throwing 22 touchdowns against just 14 interceptions.

As Houston’s quarterbacks coach from 2010-11, Knapp instructed Schaub, whom he groomed as Vick’s backup during their time together in Atlanta. Schaub ranked fourth in the NFL with 4,370 passing yards during the 2010 campaign before being placed on injured reserve late in the 2011 season. Under Knapp’s direction,

Yates took over as Houston’s starting quarterback and the rookie led the Texans to the postseason and their first-ever playoff win.

In three seasons as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, he helped Vick earn two of his four career Pro Bowl selections. The Falcons reached the NFC Championship Game during the 2004 season as Vick passed for over 2,300 yards and rushed for more than 900 yards. In 2006, Vick became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

Knapp started his NFL coaching career as an offensive quality control coach with San Francisco in 1995, eventually working his way up to quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the 49ers.

He was Young’s position coach during the quarterback’s last two NFL seasons, including his 1998 campaign in which the future Hall of Famer earned first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press.

As quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the 49ers, Knapp helped Young’s successor, Garcia, earn three Pro Bowl selections, including in his first season as a starter in 2000 when he set a team record with 4,278 passing yards.

Knapp began his coaching career at his alma mater, Sacramento State, as the school’s running backs coach (1986-88). He later coached the Hornets’ wide receivers (1989-90) before being promoted to Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator from 1991-94.

A former quarterback at Sacramento State, he competed in several NFL training camps as a player, including stops at Kansas City (1986), L.A. Raiders (1987-90), and San Francisco (1992-94), while coaching at his alma mater.

A native of Seal Beach, Calif., Knapp was born on March 5, 1963.

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