Former Pittsburgh Steelers player and longtime assistant coach Dick Hoak has died at the age of 86. Hoak was part of five Super Bowl championship teams during his decades-long association with the franchise.
Hoak spent his entire professional career with the Steelers organization, first as a running back from 1961 to 1970 and later as a member of the coaching staff. He served as the team's running backs coach for 35 seasons under head coaches Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin.
During his tenure on the sidelines, Hoak coached some of the franchise's greatest running backs, including Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Jerome Bettis, and Willie Parker. His five Super Bowl rings came from Pittsburgh's victories in Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV, and XL.
The Steelers organization announced Hoak's passing on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Tributes poured in from former players and colleagues who remembered him as a dedicated teacher and a beloved figure in Pittsburgh sports history.
