Craig Ver Steeg

Craig Ver Steeg (pronounced ver stegg) joined the Baltimore Ravens as the team's offensive assistant on February 8, 2008. Ver Steeg brings 28 years of coaching experience with him to Baltimore, including 2 professional seasons (1996-97) as an offensive assistant/quality control coach for the Chicago Bears. Most recently, he served as RBs coach (2007) and offensive coordinator (2003-06) for Rutgers and was Utah's offensive coordinator/QBs coach from 2001-02. Ver Steeg previously coached with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, when the duo was together at the University of Cincinnati from 1990-93.

In 5 seasons at Rutgers, Ver Steeg tutored some of the most prominent players in school history. In 2007, he coached All-American RB Ray Rice, who rushed for a school-record 2,012 yards and 24 TDs on 380 carries. Rice averaged 154.8 yards per game and was part of an offensive unit that produced 456.3 net yards per contest. On the season, the Scarlet Knights averaged 198.0 rushing yards per game. Rice finished his career holding several other Rutgers records, including career yards rushing (4,926), career rushing TDs (49) and single-game rushing yards (280). As a junior in ‘07, Rice became the 13th player in NCAA history to gain more than 2,000 rushing yards in a season. He was also a Doak Walker Award finalist (nation's top running back) and earned team MVP honors for the 2nd straight year.

In his final season (2006) directing Rutgers offense, Ver Steeg's rushing attack ranked 15th in the country, averaging 180.2 yards per game. The Scarlet Knights also produced 29.8 points per game, ranking 22nd among Division I teams. In 2005, Rutgers was 2nd in the Big East in both total offense (406.3 ypg) and passing (234.6 ypg). The 2004 Scarlet Knights boasted the nation's No. 6-overall and Big East's top-ranked passing attack (310.5 ypg). Rutgers also finished 3rd in the Big East in total offense (407.7 ypg).

In Ver Steeg's 1st season (2003) as Rutgers' offensive coordinator, he oversaw a unit that scored 329 points, the 5th-highest point total in school history. The Scarlet Knights produced 4,423 total yards of offense, also 5th most in Rutgers annals. Additionally, Ver Steeg coached Rutgers QBs from 2003-05. In his dual role, he tutored QB Ryan Hart, who established nearly every school passing mark in 3 starting seasons under center. Hart's career records include: passing yards (8,482), attempts (1,217), completions (735) and TDs (52).

Prior to joining the Scarlet Knights' staff, Craig served as Utah's offensive coordinator and QBs coach for 2 seasons (2001-2002). Ver Steeg helped recruit current 49ers QB Alex Smith to Utah and coached the young signal caller in his 1st season. That year, with Ver Steeg guiding the Utes' attack, Utah's offense improved 50-or-more spots nationally in nearly every offensive category. The 2001 Utes finished 24th in the nation in total offense, including 12th in rushing. Ver Steeg also coached at Utah from 1986-87 as a graduate assistant and in 1989 as the school's QBs coach. During that time, he worked with NCAA record-setting QB Scott Mitchell, who went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL. In 1988, Ver Steeg served as Utah's recruiting coordinator.

Prior to his 2nd stint at Utah, Ver Steeg was the QBs coach and recruiting coordinator at Illinois (1997-00). He tutored Illini QB Kurt Kittner, who as a sophomore in 1999, broke Jeff George's single-season record for TD passes with 24. Kittner was also named Illinois' MVP in 1999 and garnered MVP honors at the MicronPC.com Bowl that year.

Current Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano and Ver Steeg were both members of the Chicago Bears' coaching staff from 1996-97. Under head coach Dave Wannstedt, Ver Steeg worked with Bears QBs as the team's offensive assistant/quality control coach, while Schiano was the defensive assistant.

Ver Steeg also served as the passing game coordinator, QBs and WRs coach and recruiting coordinator at Harvard (1994-95). From 1990-93, he was the recruiting coordinator at Cincinnati when Harbaugh was coaching the team's DBs. Ver Steeg also coached the Bearcats' QBs (1992-93) and WRs (1990-91) during his time with Cincinnati. In 1993, Cincinnati compiled an 8-3 record and won the Independent Football Alliance championship.

Ver Steeg's 1st taste of collegiate coaching came at his alma mater (USC) in 1984, entering the ranks as a graduate assistant. He graduated from USC in 1983 and later received his master's degree in education from USC in 1986. Born 11/11/60 in Inglewood, CA, Ver Steeg attended Redondo (Redondo Beach, CA) HS. He lettered in both football (defensive back) and wrestling all 4 years. Craig and his wife, Lisa, have a son, Ian (4).