The football world is mourning the loss of a former NFL coach following news of his passing.
Steve Kragthorpe, who coached in college and served as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Bills, died on Sunday at the age of 59.
Kragthorpe’s passing came about as the result of a battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to Southernminn.com.
The former coach had stints in charge of the programs at Tulsa and Louisville.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of former head coach, Steve Kragthorpe,” Louisville said after his death was announced.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of former head coach, Steve Kragthorpe. pic.twitter.com/Ppc3jCAbaj
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) August 6, 2024
Steve Kragthorpe Served Multiple College Programs
Steve Kragthorpe hailed from Montana but attended high school in Pocatello, Idaho. He played high school football with ESPN’s Merril Hoge, with both of them graduating from Highland High School in 1983.
The Missoula native played at Eastern New Mexico and West Texas before kicking his coaching career off at Northern Arizona as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He moved to North Texas and went to Boston College, where he coached Matt Hasselbeck, who would go on to play in the NFL.
“Sad to learn of the passing of my former QB coach at BC, Steve Kragthorpe. Steve was an accomplished football coach, but more important than his football expertise, I greatly appreciate the life lessons he often shared with our QB room. Special guy who made an impact on many, including me. Prayers for his family and friends. Thank you coach!” Hasselbeck shared to X/Twitter.
Sad to learn of the passing of my former QB coach at BC, Steve Kragthorpe. Steve was an accomplished football coach, but more important than his football expertise, I greatly appreciate the life lessons he often shared with our QB room. Special guy who made an impact on many,…
— Matt Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) August 6, 2024
Kragthorpe began coaching in the NFL in 2001, serving as a quarterback coach for the Bills for two seasons before returning to college to take over as Tulsa’s head coach in 2003. He became the Louisville head coach in 2007 and remained until 2009 before a stint as an assistant at LSU.
TPS offers condolences to Kragthorpe’s family, friends, and loved ones amid their grieving period.
