The Texans have hired Karl Dorrell as their new quarterbacks coach to replace Greg Knapp.

Knapp, who did an outstanding job preparing rookie T.J. Yates last season, was hired last week as the new offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.

Dorrell, 48, has known Texans coach Gary Kubiak since 1995. That was Kubiak’s first season as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. Dorrell was the offensive coordinator at the University of Colorado.

In 2000, Denver coach Mike Shanahan hired Dorrell to coach the Broncos’ receivers. He worked closely with Kubiak for three years before leaving Denver to become head coach at his alma mater, UCLA.

During his five seasons as the Bruins’ head coach, Dorrell compiled a 35-27 record. UCLA played in a bowl game each season.

Dorrell was fired after a 6-6 season. He went to the Miami Dolphins and coached receivers and quarterbacks under Tony Sparano.

Last season, the Dolphins overcame a terrible start to finish 6-3. Dorrell received a lot of credit for quarterback Matt Moore’s development, including throwing 16 touchdown passes compared to nine interceptions.

With the Texans, Dorrell inherits Knapp’s job of coaching Yates, Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart, the latter two of whom are still recovering from season-ending surgery.

Knapp, who had been an offensive coordinator for four teams before coming to Houston, spent two seasons coaching the Texans’ quarterbacks. He was Atlanta’s offensive coordinator when Dennis Allen was a defensive assistant.

After Allen was hired as the Raiders’ new coach, he asked the Texans for permission to interview Knapp. They’re being reunited in Oakland.

Knapp recommended Frank Pollack, an assistant offensive line coach with the Texans for the last five years, as the Raiders’ new offensive line coach. Pollack also was hired last week.

By hiring Dorrell, Kubiak has one opening left on his staff – assistant offensive line coach. It’s an attractive position because the last two – Pollack and Bruce Matthews (Tennessee) were hired as offensive line coaches.

john.mcclain@chron.com