Dick Hoak, Steelers’ 5-time champion and 45-year franchise figure, dies at 86

Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II announced the death of Dick Hoak, describing him as “a legendary member of the Pittsburgh Steelers family.” The team said Hoak was 86, and it highlighted his 45 years with the franchise across both his playing and coaching career.

Hoak’s Steelers path began after the team selected him with the No. 7 pick (90th overall) in the 1961 NFL Draft. As a halfback, the team noted he rushed for 3,965 yards, which remains 8th on Pittsburgh’s all-time list, and he later became an assistant coach whose impact outlasted eras of Steelers head coaches.

After joining the staff, Hoak worked under multiple coaches and was brought in by Chuck Noll in 1972. According to the team, he was never fired from his Steelers role, an unusual tenure for the assistant-coach “fraternity” Hoak referenced in reflecting on how jobs change in the NFL.

As an assistant, the Steelers credited Hoak with helping develop Hall of Fame running backs, including Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis. The team also said his coaching contributions are tied to multiple Super Bowl titles, describing him as a running backs coach who won five Super Bowls with Pittsburgh.

The Steelers’ statement also tied Hoak’s legacy to his commitment to the organization even when other opportunities presented themselves. The team said Hoak turned down USFL offers to stay in Pittsburgh, and it pointed to his retirement decision as one grounded in family stability and long-term community ties.

Hoak later received additional recognition from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which the Steelers said presented him an Award of Excellence in June 2025. In describing a single defining memory, the Steelers said Hoak chose the Super Bowls, calling out “five of them.”