Sports: Ex-Raiders, Niners assistant coach Knapp injured in bike crash.
Ex-49ers, Raiders coach fighting for life
A former assistant coach for the 49ers and Raiders is fighting for his life in a Bay Area hospital after being involved in a crash while on a bicycle over the weekend, authorities said.
Greg Knapp, now an assistant coach with the New York Jets, was hit by a car Saturday while riding near his Danville home, police confirmed Tuesday morning.
The Jets released statements from the Knapp family:
“Greg is an amazing father and husband whose passion for life can be felt in all his interactions with people,” the Knapp family said in their statement. “He is our rock and biggest supporter, pushing us to all strive to better ourselves each day with constant love and inspiration. While many know him for his achievement as a coach, his impact as a father and husband are far greater. We are so fortunate to have him in our lives. We are sincerely thankful to all those who have continued to reach out and provide support — it has meant the
world to us. We ask that you continue to pray for Greg and our family during this time.”
The Jets hired Knapp in January as their passing-game specialist, and he has been splitting time this year between Danville and his new home in New Jersey. He spent the previous three years as the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterbacks coach and has been an NFL assistant since 1997.
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, and police and fire officials said Knapp suffered major injuries, possibly life-threatening.
The driver who hit the bicyclist stayed at the scene, and police said they do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors. The investigation is continuing, and police did not say whether they suspect the driver was distracted.
The Jets also released a statement from head coach Robert Saleh, who was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator the past four years:
“Greg is such an amazing individual it is hard to imagine the challenge facing him and his family,” Saleh said in a statement. “Greg’s fun nature, kind disposition, and wealth of knowledge has allowed him to make genuine connections with all of our coaches, players and staff since he has been here. I ask that you keep him in your prayers as we all pull for him to recover from this horrific accident.”
Knapp started his NFL coaching career with the 49ers in 1997 under former head coach Steve Mariucci. He eventually became the team’s offensive coordinator from 2001-03 and later held that job with the thenOakland Raiders (200708, 2012), Falcons (200406) and Seattle Seahawks (2009).
Knapp also won the 2015 Super Bowl as the quarterbacks coach for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Knapp held that role there from 2013-16 and with the Houston Texans from 2010-11.
Manning and former 49ers quarterbacks Steve Young and Jeff Garcia are among the 13 different Pro Bowl players he’s coached, a list that also includes Michael Vick (2004-05). He is set to mentor Zach Wilson, the draft’s No. 2 overall selection, with the Jets this season.