Chuck Amato, former NC State coach and Florida State assistant, dies at 80

Chuck Amato, who gave NC State the best season in its history and helped Bobby Bowden build a dynasty at Florida State, died Monday at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 80.

The school said Amato died under hospice care.

Wolfpack through and through

Amato played linebacker at NC State from 1965 to 1967. He was also a two-time ACC champion wrestler for the school. The Wolfpack won a share of the ACC football title in 1965 while he was on the team.

He soon joined the coaching staff at his alma mater. Through the 1970s he worked under four NC State head coaches, including Lou Holtz.

Two titles in Tallahassee

Amato moved to Florida State in 1982 as a defensive assistant. He won two national championships under Bowden while helping coordinator Mickey Andrews run one of the most feared defenses in the country. Andre Wadsworth, Sam Cowart and Peter Boulware were among the players he coached.

Duke coach Manny Diaz credited Amato on Monday with giving him his first job in coaching. "Wouldn't be standing here today if it wasn't for Chuck Amato," Diaz said. "I don't know anybody who loved NC State University more than Chuck Amato did."

Living the dream

Amato always wanted to lead the Wolfpack. He got the job in 2000 and remains the only NC State graduate to coach the program.

In 2002, with future first-round pick Philip Rivers at quarterback, NC State went 11-3. No team in school history has won more. Over seven seasons Amato went 49-37 and took the Wolfpack to five bowl games.

"He made us believe things we could not see with our own eyes," said former NC State linebacker Dantonio Burnette, now the team's director of strength and conditioning.

Bill Cowher, who played linebacker at NC State when Amato was an assistant there, also paid tribute Monday. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach thanked Amato for teaching him commitment, sacrifice and teamwork. "You'll be missed, but your legacy will NEVER be forgotten!" Cowher wrote.

A return home

NC State let Amato go after the 2006 season. He went back to Florida State and coached there until Bowden retired in 2009. He finished his career at Akron.

Amato is survived by his wife Peggy and two daughters.