Ryan Knowles is the head football coach of the Sandpoint Bulldogs and a proud Sandpoint native. A standout defensive end for Sandpoint High School’s Class of 1996, Knowles went on to play four seasons at the University of Idaho, where he recorded over 150 career tackles and led the Vandals with six sacks during the 2000 season.
Following his playing career, Knowles transitioned into coaching, beginning as a graduate assistant at the University of Idaho before holding multiple assistant coaching roles at the high school and collegiate levels. He later served as an Assistant Coach at Colgate, where his was the Defensive Line Coach, Defensive Coordinator and the Special Teams Coordinator over the course of 12 seasons. Returning home to lead Sandpoint, Knowles quickly elevated the Bulldogs program, guiding the team to multiple playoff victories and a return to the state championship game for the first time since 2015. Known for his competitive edge, humility, and deep connection to the Sandpoint community, Knowles brings experience, passion, and hometown pride to the Bulldogs program.
