Roy Knapp was born in 1914 in Mobile, Alabama. He played football and baseball at Gaylesville during his high school days and was named to the All-State team for his efforts on the football field.

Knapp graduated from Gaylesville High School, East Mississippi Junior College, Livingston State College and earned a Masters degree from Mississippi State University.

His coaching career was interrupted after only one season at Midland City in 1941 for World War II when he served his county in the U.S. Navy.

Following the war he returned to Midland City to resume his head coaching position. During a coaching career that spanned five decades, Knapp coached at 10 high schools across the state of Alabama.

Knapp coached and taught at Midland City (Dale County), Washington County, Choctaw County, Gaylesville, Ranburne, Randolph County, Macon Academy, Sand Rock, Spring Garden and Coosa Christian. He also coached in Mississippi and Tennessee, at a junior college and a U.S. Naval base.

His overall record stands at 147-118-13 with a few seasons remaining incomplete. During the summers he played minor league baseball for 13 teams.

He served as a head coach for the North/South All-Star game in Tuscaloosa 1951. Coach Knapp was inducted into the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

Coach Knapp was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Associations Hall of Fame in 2012.

Roy Knapp passed away in January, 1992.