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SUNNY Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, July 5, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend July 3, 2002 Older, wiser Knott on the right path Former SOU player shows impressive dedication and desire during his rise in the coaching profession By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune For those who knew Ty Knott when he played for Southern Oregon University in 1989, a career in coaching didn’t appear imminent. Especially in the NFL. Definite talent and outstanding character put him in the program’s good graces, but nagging injuries and a secondary filled with returners limited playing time for the Oregon Tech transfer. "He was a really quality, quality player," says former SOU head coach Jim Palazzolo, whose first season was Knott’s last. "He helped us with the building process. That was an important year for our program because we were trying to establish so many things in terms of how we wanted our players to play and conduct themselves." Even Knott’s closest position coach — then defensive coordinator Jeff Olson — wouldn’t have predicted the path ahead of the cornerback. "Knowing him back then, I wouldn’t have remembered Tyrone in a way that he was going to get into coaching," says Olson, the current head coach at SOU. "But over the years as he’s matured, I think he’s certainly found the right profession." Knott, 36, recently was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as offensive quality control coach for the NFL squad. In that role, Knott will assist the Jaguar coaching staff in all aspects of game preparation, including scouting reports, opponent breakdown and writing the playbook. "This was just a great opportunity that opened up and I feel fortunate to have been chosen," says Knott. "There’s a lot of guys who have done what I’m doing and have gone up from there." For one, current Lions head coach Marty Mornhinweg handled the same duties in his early days with the Green Bay Packers. Considered a stepping-stone post, Knott says his main concern is doing the best job he can for the Jaguars so he can hopefully stick around Jacksonville for a while after 10 years of hopping around the states. "I’m definitely willing to work hard and I’ve got a good knowledge of the game," he says. "I just want to make sure that we can jell enough and do whatever I have to do for us to make it to either San Diego (for the 2003 Super Bowl) or Hawaii (for the 2003 Pro Bowl)." Knott’s jump to the NFL comes on the heels of a stint as defensive and recruiting coordinator for Greenville (Ill.) College. Prior to that, he had a minority coaching fellowship coaching receivers with the Detroit Lions in 2001 and the Washington Redskins in 1998. Knott also has served on coaching staffs at Mt. San Antonio Junior College in California in 2000, Indiana University (1997- 99) and Whittier (Calif.) College (1994-95). Around that same time frame six years ago, he married his wife Brandi, a former Ashland High and SOU graduate. They have two sons, 2-year-old Gavin and 8-month-old Reece. Possibly the most influential post held by Knott, however, came directly after graduating from Southern Oregon University with his work at the Boys & Girls Home in Ashland and, later, in California. It was around then that Knott paid occasional visits to SOU, meeting with Palazzolo and offensive line coach Tom Powell. "He really matured and got very interested in breaking into coaching after graduating," recalls Palazzolo. "His work in counseling really helped him in two areas: his communication skills and his organizational skills." Both areas, according to Olson, have seemingly become trademarks for Knott over the years, as has an undeniably positive attitude. "I’ve gotten to know Tyrone a lot better after his college career," says Olson, "and one thing I’ve been very impressed with over the years is that he’s got a great deal of want-to and just refuses to give in. "He’s just always come across with the attitude that he’s going to make it someday. I think he’s certainly on the right track." Knott credits older brother Rene with helping pave the way for a career in coaching. Rene Knott was an all-star tailback in his days at SOU, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 1985. It was Rene, a sportscaster in Washington, D.C., who helped get Ty an interview at Indiana thanks to a relationship with Cam Cameron, who was a Redskins assistant prior to taking over at Indiana. "That was really a great experience because I got exposed to Big Ten football," Ty Knott says of his first big-time coaching post. "Coming from smaller programs like I had, it was really amazing to see the speed of the game and what the level of play is like being around top-notch guys." Most of his work with the Jaguars will be in assisting quarterback coach John Hufnagel, another recent hire by head coach Tom Coughlin. Hufnagel comes to Jacksonville with 30 years of professional experience, most recently with the Indianapolis Colts and standout QB Peyton Manning. "Anything that has to do with the quarterbacks, I’ll be there," says Knott. "I’m not running any meetings but I’ll do whatever John needs to help the quarterbacks." Knott will also work closely with Coughlin in assisting with film evaluation and putting the playbook together. Through it all, Knott says he hopes to soak in the football expertise bubbling over with the likes of Coughlin, Hufnagel and Jaguars veteran quarterback Mark Brunell and company. "I just think that my opportunities can open up even more by taking in everything they have to say," says Knott. "Whether that leads to the college ranks or the NFL, I don’t know where it can take me. That’s not really on my mind. All I know is I have the desire to want this as my career." Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S