Hoak to retire after 45 years as Steelers’ player, coach
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Dick Hoak, a Pittsburgh Steelers player or coach all but one season since 1961, is retiring after an NFL-record 35 continuous seasons as a Steelers assistant coach. The 67-year-old Hoak was the only assistant coach to work for Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher. Hoak was the offensive backfield coach for all but three of Noll’s 23 seasons as head coach, then worked the last 15 seasons under Cowher as the running backs coach.
Hoak is the only Steelers on-field employee with five Super Bowl rings, though others in the organization – including chairman Dan Rooney – also have five. Hoak was offered the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers’ head coaching job in 1983, but chose to stay with the Steelers.
Hoak, who grew up in suburban Pittsburgh, was a running back and quarterback for Penn State from 1958-60 and was the Nittany Lions’ MVP in 1960. A seventh-round draft pick in 1961, Hoak led the Steelers in rushing three times from 1961-70 and made the Pro Bowl in 1968. He ranks fifth in team career rushing with 3,965 yards.
Hoak will announce his retirement at a news conference today.