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Reports: Former NC State coach Chuck Amato dies at 80

By Thomson Reuters Oct 19, 2026 | 12:40 PM

By Field Level Media

Oct 19 (Field Level Media) – Former NC State football coach and longtime Florida State ​assistant Chuck Amato died Monday ‌morning at the age of 80, according to multiple reports.

Amato, who guided the Wolfpack to a school-record 11 wins in 2002, ‌had ​battled throat cancer in ⁠recent years.

With Philip ⁠Rivers as his quarterback for four of his seven seasons on the sidelines in Raleigh, Amato went 49-37 ​with five bowl appearances (four wins) at his alma mater from 2000-06.

The ⁠11-3 season in 2002, ⁠capped by a win in ​the Gator Bowl and a final ranking ​of No. 12, remains the only ‌season in school history with double-digit victories.

Amato was also an assistant coach at NC State (1971-79), Arizona (1980-81), Florida State (1982-99, ⁠2007-09) and Akron (2012-17). The Seminoles won national championships in 1993 and 1999, with Amato ⁠serving as ‌Bobby Bowden’s assistant head ⁠coach.

Amato also coached defensive end ​Mario ‌Williams, the only No. 1 ​overall NFL ⁠draft pick (2006) in Wolfpack history.

His coaching tree from his time at NC State includes current Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and Duke coach Manny Diaz.

(–Field ​Level Media)