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Former NC State football coach Chuck Amato dies at 80

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 23:31 · Archive

Chuck Amato, who coached NC State to an 11-win season in 2002 and mentored future NFL star Philip Rivers, has died aged 80.

Chuck Amato, the longtime Florida State assistant football coach who went on to lead NC State for seven seasons, has died at 80. He died early Monday at his Raleigh home under hospice care, having previously battled throat cancer and eventually lost his voice.

Amato coached the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2006, highlighted by the four-year career of eventual NFL star quarterback Philip Rivers and an 11-win season in 2002 that stands as the program's only season with double-digit wins in its history. He led the team with distinctive flair, from his barrel-chested bravado to attention-grabbing choices for sunglasses and sneakers as he roamed the sideline for the program he played for in the 1960s.

Current Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren called Amato 'a huge personality, a great mentor to coaches and players alike, and a great alumnus', noting that Amato had continued to attend practices and sit in meetings earlier in Doeren's tenure. Tributes poured in from across college football: North Carolina Governor Josh Stein remembered Amato as 'NC State to his core', retired NFL coach Bill Cowher thanked him for his influence during his playing days at NC State, and Duke coach Manny Diaz credited Amato with giving him a start in coaching as an FSU graduate assistant.

Former NC State football coach Chuck Amato dies at 80
Image: News4Jax

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How it is being reported

In this story: Chuck Amato · NC State · Florida State · Philip Rivers · Dave Doeren · Bill Cowher · Josh Stein · Manny Diaz

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