Chuck Amato, NC State Coach, Dies at 80

Chuck Amato, the former N.C. State head coach and longtime Florida State assistant, has died at 80 after battling recurrent throat cancer and spending several months in hospice care. In seven seasons leading his alma mater from 2000 to 2006, he went 49-37, took the Wolfpack to five bowl games and recorded four bowl victories. His 2002 team went 11-3, beat Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl and finished No. 12 nationally, with quarterback Philip Rivers among the players Amato helped recruit and develop. Before becoming head coach, Amato was a key assistant to Bobby Bowden at Florida State, contributing to two national championships and the Seminoles’ dominant run in the 1990s. Remembered for his recruiting, defensive coaching and larger-than-life sideline presence, he remained closely identified with the Wolfpack.