Seminoles Mourn the Passing of Former Coach Chuck Amato

The Florida State family is mourning the passing of longtime Seminoles defensive coach Chuck Amato, who passed away on Monday. He was 80.

Legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden hired Amato to coach his defensive line in 1982.  In 1985, Bowden promoted him to assistant head coach, and coach of the linebackers and defensive line.

Amato remained a respected presence on the Florida State sideline for 27 years, earning national championship rings in 1993 and 1999.

The tradition of Florida State defense has Amato’s and defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews’ fingerprints all over it.

Amato coached such Seminole greats as linebackers Derrick Brooks and Marvin Jones. In addition, he coached defensive end Peter Boulware and defensive tackle Corey Simon.

Amato’s football journey began in the high school gridiron traditions of Easton, Pennsylvania. As a standout, Amato earned a scholarship to NC State in the 1960s.

He then came back to his alma mater as an assistant coach.

For the decade of the 1970s, Amato cut his teeth in the coaching profession as an assistant under such Wolfpack coaching greats as Lou Holtz and Bo Rein.

Amato coached a young linebacker named Bill Cowher, who later became a Super Bowl-winning coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and an NFL Hall of Fame inductee.

After winning the 1999 national title at Florida State, Amato agreed to become the head coach at NC State.

Amato led NC State to 49 victories during his tenure. He led the Wolfpack to an 11-win season in 2002, a program record.

Amato recruited and developed quarterback Phillip Rivers into an All-American and future NFL star.

Against Florida State, Amato hung four losses on Bowden. In 2001, Amato and his Wolfpack team were the first team in the ACC to defeat the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Amato returned to Florida State to coach during Bowden’s farewell tour from 2007-2009. Amato was not retained on Jimbo Fisher’s staff.

Bowden hired Amato and Andrews around the same time, and they remained a trio of success in college football for decades.

That trio of collegiate coaching prowess posted a combined 78 years of service at Florida State. That is how you build a football dynasty.

It was a different era, but Bowden hired good coaches around him that prided themselves on coaching continuity that was set in bedrock.

Amato bought into Bowden’s vision and made sure the team followed every season. It also resonated on the field.

The Italian word for beloved is “Amato.” Ask anyone associated with the Florida State program, past or present, and they will tell you that Coach Amato certainly was.

Rest in peace, coach.