Dick Hoak, Steelers Running Back and Coach for 45 Years, Dies at 86

Dick Hoak, a Pittsburgh Steelers running back and longtime coach, has died at 86, the team announced. A Jeannette native and Penn State standout, he played 10 seasons for Pittsburgh after being drafted in 1961, rushing for 3,965 yards. He joined the coaching staff in 1972 and spent 35 years coaching the Steelers’ running backs, helping guide players across two Super Bowl-winning eras and earning five championship rings. Team leaders and local coverage remembered Hoak as a foundational figure whose 45 years with the organization left a lasting mark.