Kragthorpe was born in Missoula, Montana but attended Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho. Kragthorpe played high school football with ESPN commentator Merril Hoge. Both graduated from Highland High School in 1983.[citation needed] In 2001, Kragthorpe left the collegiate ranks to become quarterback coach under head coach Gregg Williams for the Buffalo Bills. He coached quarterback Drew Bledsoe during one of Bledsoe's better seasons in the NFL. In 2003, Kragthorpe took over his first head coaching position, succeeding Keith Burns at the University of Tulsa.