On February 10, 2019, Coach Ty Knott will enter his inaugural season with the Memphis Express as their running backs coach and special teams coordinator. However, when the idea of coaching football was first presented to him, he was skeptical.
“My father-in-law asked me to coach,” recalls Knott. “I said no.”
Knott and his two older brothers grew up playing sports. His football career led him to Oregon Tech.
Knott eventually gave in and started coaching. His path led him to the National Football League where he spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tom Coughlin as an offensive assistant, the New Orleans Saints and Jim Haslett as a defensive quality control coach and the Green Bay Packers and Mike McCarthy as an offensive quality control coach. Knot worked with NFL players Mark Brunell, Mike McKenzie, Ahman Green, Donald Driver, NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre and a young quarterback who is now in the discussion as one of the elite quarterbacks of all time, Aaron Rogers. He coached in the Pro-Bowl and in London. Knott has been fortunate to have these experiences, but at the end of the day, it is his job.
“I bring my backpack and my lunch pail and go to work,” says Knott.
Knott’s relationship with Express head coach Mike Singletary began at a coaches’ symposium.
“I met Mike and another coach and both said I would work for them,” says Knott. “Mike called.”
Knott worked with Singletary in San Francisco as Director of Player Development for the 49ers. He is reuniting with him this year to coach the Express.
“Mike is a hall of fame person,” says Knott. “He is who he says he is. It is life changing to speak to him.”
Knott is excited about starting pro football in Memphis with the Alliance of American Football.
“Things are done right in this league,” says Knott.
Knott loves the X’s and O’s aspect of the game and Memphis Express President Kosha Irby is happy Knott is bringing his X’s and O’s experience to Memphis.
“Ty is an energetic and savvy coach,” says Irby. “He brings the energy that creates the energy on the team.”
At a recent mini-camp, Irby says Knott was throwing the ball like a quarterback in his prime during the running back drills.
“I asked him to try out for the team,” laughs Irby.
As for his time in Memphis, Knott is happy to be here.
“There are nice people in Memphis,” says Knott. “Good people.”
Follow Coach Ty Knott on Twitter: @CoachTKnott
Read about Coach Mike Singletary coming to Memphis in an earlier article of The 901 Connection here.
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