Craig Ver Steeg

Craig Ver Steeg (pronounced ver-STEGG) is in his second year with the Ravens as the team’s offensive assistant. Ver Steeg has 26 years of coaching experience. Craig has established himself as an elite coach of quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, in addition to his tenure as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Rutgers (2003-06). Two current NFL players who benefited under his tutelage on the college level include RB Ray Rice (Ravens) and QB Alex Smith (49ers). Ver Steeg’s knowledge and experience is an invaluable asset to the development of the Ravens’ offense.

2008: (with Baltimore) Assisted Cam Cameron’s offense with game preparation for a unit that ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (148.5 ypg) and 11th in points per game (24.1)...Ravens led the NFL in time of possession (33:10 avg) and their 18.1 margin of victory ranked second.

2003-07: (with Rutgers) Ver Steeg tutored some of the most productive players in school history.

2007: Served as RBs coach and  tutored Ravens 2008 second-round draft pick, All-American RB Ray Rice, who rushed for a school-record 2,012 yards and 24 TDs on 380 carries (154.8 ypg)… Part of an offensive unit that produced 456.3 net yards per game…The Scarlet Knights averaged 198.0 rushing yards per game…Rice finished his career holding several Rutgers records, including career yards rushing (4,926), career rushing TDs (49) and single-game rushing yards (280)…He became the 13th player in NCAA history to gain more than 2,000 rushing yards in a season…Was also a Doak Walker Award finalist (nation’s top running back) and earned team MVP honors for the second straight year. 2006: Rutgers rushing attack ranked 15th in the country, averaging 180.2 ypg…The Scarlet Knights also produced 29.8 points per game, ranking 22nd among Division I teams.

2005: Rutgers was second in the Big East in both total offense (406.3 ypg) and passing (234.6 ypg).

2004: Scarlet Knights boasted the nation’s No. 6 overall and Big East’s top-ranked passing attack (310.5 ypg)…Rutgers also finished third in the Big East in total offense (407.7 ypg).

2003: As offensive coordinator (2003-06), oversaw a unit that scored 329 points, the fifth-highest point total in school history…Scarlet Knights produced 4,423 total yards of offense, fifth-most in Rutgers annals…Also coached Rutgers QBs (2003-06)… In dual roles, he tutored QB Ryan Hart, who established nearly every school passing mark in three starting seasons…Hart’s career records include: passing yards (8,482), attempts (1,217), completions (735) and TDs (52).

2001-2002: (with Utah) Served as offensive coordinator and QBs coach for two seasons… Helped recruit QB Alex Smith (49ers) to Utah and coached the young signal caller in his first season…With Ver Steeg guiding the Utes’ attack, Utah’s offense improved 50-or-more spots nationally in nearly every offensive category.

2001: Utes finished 24th in the nation in total offense, including 12th in rushing.

1997-2000: (with Ilinois) QBs coach and recruiting coordinator. 1999: Tutored Illini QB Kurt Kittner as a sophomore…Kittner broke Jeff George’s single-season record for TD passes (24)…Kittner was named team MVP and garnered MVP honors at the MicronPC.com Bowl.

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

1994-95: (with Harvard) Served as the passing game coordinator, QBs and WRs coach and recruiting coordinator.

1990-93: (with Cincinnati) Was recruiting coordinator when John Harbaugh was coaching the team’s DBs. 1992-93: Coached the Bearcats’ QBs.

1993: Compiled an 8-3 record and won the Independent Football Alliance championship.

1990-91: Coached WRs.

1986-89: (with Utah) 1989: As the school’s assistant QBs coach, he worked with NCAA record-setting QB Scott Mitchell, who went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL.

1988: Ver Steeg served as Utah’s recruiting coordinator.

1986: Served as a graduate assistant.

1984-85: (with USC) Launched his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant, following two years at Redondo HS.

College: Graduated from USC in 1983 and later received his master’s degree in education from USC in 1986.

Personal: Attended Redondo (Redondo Beach, CA) HS, where he later was hired as an assistant coach (1980-82) while attending USC…Lettered in football, as a DB, and wrestled all four years…Craig and his wife, Lisa, have a son, Ian (5).