Former NC State football coach, longtime Florida State assistant Chuck Amato dies at 80

Chuck Amato, longtime Florida State assistant and former N.C. State head coach, died at age 80.

He died early Monday at his Raleigh home under hospice care after previously battling throat cancer, which led to loss of his voice.

Amato coached N.C. State from 2000-06, going 49-37 with five bowl wins, including the 2002 season with 11 wins, the program's only double-digit win season.

He coached quarterback Philip Rivers and No. 1 NFL draft pick Mario Williams at N.C. State.

1965-67: Amato played linebacker at N.C. State, sharing an ACC title in 1965. · 1970s: Amato served as an N.C. State assistant coach, mentoring players including Bill Cowher. · 1990s: Amato worked as a defensive assistant under Bobby Bowden at Florida State during national title runs in 1993 and 1999. · 2000: Amato became N.C. State head coach, debuting with a double-overtime win over Arkansas State. · 2001: Amato's N.C. State team handed Florida State its first-ever ACC home loss. · 2006: Amato was fired after a 3-9 season, ending his seven-year tenure as N.C. State head coach.

80 age at death · 49-37 coaching record · 11 wins in 2002 season · 3-9 record in 2006 · 2018 retirement year