Greg Knapp, a longtime NFL assistant coach who was hired by the Jets last January as a passing game specialist, died Thursday of injuries he suffered in a bicycling accident last weekend in California. He was 58.
Knapp's family announced through the Jets that Knapp died at 2:32 p.m. ET (11:32 a.m. PT) Thursday.
"Those of us who were so blessed to have known him, know that he would have wanted even this moment to be a teachable one. So this is it . . . 'Live every day as if it's your last, and love those around you like it won't last!'" the family said in its statement.
Knapp was struck by a car on the afternoon of July 17 as he was biking in San Ramon, Calif., in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was hospitalized in critical condition. His family said he never regained consciousness.
A police spokeswoman in San Ramon, Lt. Tami Williams, said Tuesday (per The Associated Press) that the driver of the car was cooperating and that drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash.
The Jets hired Knapp in the offseason to be a part of new head coach Robert Saleh's staff. Knapp began his NFL coaching career with the 49ers in 1997. He was an offensive coordinator for the 49ers, Falcons, Raiders and Seahawks. He was a quarterbacks coach for the Texans and Broncos.
"He lived life in a loving way that helped him connect with people from all walks of life in a unique way. In his short time here, I believe the people in this organization had a chance to experience that connection," Saleh said in a statement released by the team.
Knapp is survived by his wife, Charlotte; three daughters: Jordan, Natalie and Camille; and his brother.
