Dave Kragthorpe, the former Utah State athletics director and coach who helped pioneer the modern passing game during his tenure at Brigham Young University, died August 23, 2026, in Montgomery, Texas. Kragthorpe, who passed away at age 93, was a member of the Utah State University Hall of Fame and a former two-way tackle for the Aggies between 1951 and 1954.
### BYU Passing Revolution
Kragthorpe played a pivotal role in establishing the BYU quarterback tradition that has produced numerous NFL stars and Hall of Famers. While serving as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Cougars from 1970 to 1975, Kragthorpe worked alongside former Utah State teammate LaVell Edwards. Together, they implemented a passing attack designed to allow smaller, less physical players to win through finesse rather than muscle.
This strategic shift occurred during an era when the forward pass was often viewed as a mere alternative to running the ball. Under the leadership of Edwards and Kragthorpe, BYU became one of the first programs to consistently and effectively use the pass. This foundation contributed to a program that has since seen quarterbacks such as Gifford Nielsen, Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon, and Steve Young inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
In the 29 years LaVell Edwards coached at BYU, the Cougars led the nation in passing eight times and finished in the top five 17 times. The program's success includes a national championship in 1984 and 20 different WAC or MWC championships since 1972.
### Coaching and Administrative Career
Kragthorpe's professional career spanned several decades and multiple levels of collegiate football. After playing for the New York Giants in 1955, he served as an assistant coach at Montana and South Dakota State before becoming the head coach at South Dakota State in 1969. He led the Jackrabbits to a 3–7 record during his single season as head coach there.
Following his time at BYU, Kragthorpe served as head coach at Idaho State from 1980 to 1982. His most successful season at Idaho State came in 1981, when the Bengals won the Big Sky Conference title and the NCAA Division I-AA championship with a 12–1 record. In that 1981 season, Idaho State outscored opponents 422–172.
In June 1983, Kragthorpe transitioned from coaching to administration, taking over as the athletics director at his alma mater, Utah State, a position he held through 1985. He later returned to the sidelines as the head coach at Oregon State University from 1985 to 1990, where he led the Beavers to a significant upset over the Washington Huskies in 1985, a victory that remains one of the greatest wins in program history.
### Utah State Legacy
Kragthorpe remains one of the most decorated figures in Utah State University athletic history. A two-time all-Skyline Conference Eight performer, he was named to Utah State's All-Century team. Beyond football, he was a two-sport athlete who spent two seasons as a catcher for the Aggies baseball team.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Kragthorpe was noted for his academic success, graduating from Utah State with dual bachelor's degrees in physical education and recreation education in 1955. He later returned to the university to earn a master's degree in secondary education in 1963.
Kragthorpe's impact on the university extended into his later years. After officially retiring in 2001, he continued to work at the USU Alumni Office, overseeing alumni chapters in Idaho and northern Nevada. In 2005, he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
### Life and Family
Born on May 1, 1933, in Mound, Minnesota, Kragthorpe spent much of his later life split between Logan, Utah, and Louisville, Kentucky.
His professional legacy continues through his family members involved in sports. His son, Kurt, is a sportswriter for the Salt Lake Tribune, while his son, Steve, has served as a head coach at Tulsa and Louisville. His grandson, Brad Kragthorpe, serves as an assistant for the Cincinnati Bengals.
### Oregon State Tenure
Kragthorpe's time at Oregon State was marked by both difficulty and a singular historic victory. He was hired in December 1984 to replace Joe Avezzano, entering a program that had struggled with a 6–47–2 record under previous leadership. Despite the challenges, Kragthorpe was recognized for his efforts when he won the Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors in 1989.
During his tenure with the Beavers, he introduced a pass-oriented offense branded as the 'Air Express.' His most notable achievement occurred in his first season, when he led the 38-point underdogs against the Washington Huskies to a 21–20 victory, a result that stands as the largest upset by point spread in college football history.
