Chuck Amato

Charles Michael Amato (June 26, 1946 – October 19, 2026) was an American college football player and coach. He played linebacker for the NC State Wolfpack from 1965 to 1967 and later served as the school's head football coach from 2000 to 2006, compiling a record of 49–37. Amato spent 18 seasons as an assistant coach for the Florida State Seminoles from 1982 to 1999 and returned to the program from 2007 to 2009. He finished his coaching career for the Akron Zips, where he served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2017 before retiring in 2018.

Amato was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, on June 26, 1946. He graduated from Easton Area High School in 1964. Amato was a three-year letter winner at linebacker in high school and won a Pennsylvania state wrestling championship.

He attended North Carolina State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education in 1969 and a master's degree in education in 1973.

At NC State, Amato was a three-year letter winner in both football and wrestling. He played linebacker on the 1965 football team that shared the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and was captain of the defense as a senior in 1967. In wrestling, he posted two undefeated seasons and won ACC championships at heavyweight in 1966 and at 191-pound (87 kg) in 1968.

Following his graduation from NC State in 1969, Amato began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his high school alma mater, Easton Area High School, where he coached from 1969 to 1970.

In 1971, Amato returned to North Carolina State as a graduate assistant. He served in that position through 1972 before coaching the defensive secondary from 1973 to 1975. From 1976 to 1979, he was the Wolfpack's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. During his nine seasons on the staff, Amato worked under head coaches Al Michaels, Lou Holtz, and Bo Rein.

During his tenure, Amato coached four All-ACC defensive backs and also coached Bill Cowher, who later became head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Amato joined the University of Arizona coaching staff in 1980. He spent two seasons with the Wildcats as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

In 1982, Amato joined Bobby Bowden's staff at Florida State. He coached the defensive line from 1982 to 1995 and the linebackers from 1996 to 1999. Amato also served as assistant head coach during his final 14 seasons of his first tenure at Florida State. Amato was a member of the Florida State coaching staff when the Seminoles won national championships following the 1993 and 1999 seasons. He left Florida State following the Seminoles' victory over Virginia Tech in the 2000 Sugar Bowl, becoming head coach at NC State.

Amato returned to North Carolina State in January 2000 as the 32nd head coach in program history.

In 2002, Amato was elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Football Coaches Association. The 2002 Wolfpack finished 11–3, setting a school record for wins in a season, and defeated Notre Dame, 28–6, in the 2003 Gator Bowl. NC State finished the season ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll.

NC State reached bowl games in each of Amato's first four seasons and again in 2005. The Wolfpack finished 3–9 in 2006, losing its final seven games.

On November 26, 2006, athletic director Lee Fowler announced that Amato would not be retained. He finished his seven seasons as head coach with a 49–37 overall record and a 25–31 record in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Fowler cited the team's results in two of the previous three seasons in announcing the decision.

Amato returned to Florida State in January 2007 as executive associate head coach and linebackers coach under Bobby Bowden. Following Bowden's retirement after the 2009 season, incoming head coach Jimbo Fisher informed Amato that he would not be retained for the 2010 season. Amato remained with the staff through the 2010 Gator Bowl, Bowden's final game as head coach.

In January 2012, Amato joined Terry Bowden's staff at Akron as associate head coach and defensive coordinator. He also worked with the team's linebackers.

During Amato's six seasons at Akron, the Zips reached the 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where they recorded the program's first FBS bowl victory, and the 2017 Boca Raton Bowl. Akron also won the MAC East Division championship in 2017.

Amato retired from coaching on February 26, 2018, after completing his sixth season at Akron and his 45th year in the collegiate coaching ranks.

In December 2009, Amato was diagnosed with cancer on his tonsil. He underwent treatment and reported in April 2010 that it had been successful.

Chuck Amato died from throat cancer at his home in Raleigh on October 19, 2026, at the age of 80.

Head coaches under whom Amato served:

• Al Michaels: NC State (1971)
• Lou Holtz: NC State (1972–1975)
• Bo Rein: NC State (1976–1979)
• Larry Smith: Arizona (1980–1981)
• Bobby Bowden: Florida State (1982–1999, 2007–2009)
• Terry Bowden: Akron (2012–2017)

Assistant coaches under Amato who also served as college or professional head coaches:

• Doc Holliday: Marshall (2010–2020)
• Norm Chow: Hawaii (2012–2015)
• Buddy Green: Chattanooga (1994–1999)
• Curt Cignetti: Indiana (PA) (2011–2016), Elon (2017–2018), James Madison (2019–2023), Indiana (2024–present)
• Manny Diaz: Miami (2019–2021), Duke (2024–present)
• Mike Canales: North Texas (interim, 2010, 2015)
• Reggie Herring: Arkansas (interim, 2007)
• Marc Trestman: Montreal Alouettes (2008–2012), Chicago Bears (2013–2014), Toronto Argonauts (2017–2018), Tampa Bay Vipers (2020)