| A native of Easton, Pa., the 58-year-old Amato earned his B.S. in mathematics education from NC State in 1969 and his master’s in education in 1973. He was a three-year letterwinner in football and wrestling for the Wolfpack, playing on the gridiron for the legendary Earle Edwards. He played on the 1965 squad that earned an ACC co-championship and posted two undefeated seasons as a wrestler, earning two ACC titles (heavyweight in 1966 and 191 pounds in 1968).
Following his graduation from NC State, Amato spent two years as an assistant coach at his prep alma mater, Easton Area High School. In 1971, he began a nine-year stint as an assistant with the Wolfpack, working under Al Michaels, Lou Holtz and Bo Rein. He served as a graduate assistant in 1971 and 1972, coached the defensive secondary from 1973-75, and was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach from 1976-79. He coached four All-ACC defensive backs for the Wolfpack during that stretch and also coached current Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.
Prior to joining the Florida State staff, Amato spent two seasons at the University of Arizona (1980-81), where he served as linebackers coach.
Amato came home to NC State as the 32nd head coach in program history after spending 18 years at Florida State, 14 as assistant head coach. He directed the Seminole defensive line for 14 years and spent four seasons running the linebacking corps. He has been a part of 11 ACC championships, one as a player at NC State (1965), two as an assistant coach for the Wolfpack (1973, 1979), and eight consecutive at Florida State (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999).
FSU was ranked in the top four of the final Associated Press poll each of Amato's last 13 years with the program, and the Seminole defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing defense seven of his last eight years. The Seminoles ranked in the top 20 in all four defensive categories (total defense, rushing defense, passing efficiency defense and scoring defense) in 1999.
Amato coached three consensus All-Americans at FSU: defensive end Reinard Wilson, linebacker Sam Cowart and defensive end Andre Wadsworth. After he took over the direction of the linebacking corps in 1996, he directed one two-time Butkus Award semifinalist (Daryl Bush), and four NFL draft picks. He also produced some of the nation’s top defensive linemen while leading that unit. Since Amato returned to his alma mater in January of 2000, the Wolfpack family has rallied around NC State football in record numbers. Season ticket sales have risen each of the last four years, increasing each year. Last season, every ticket for every home game was sold long before the season began and 2004 sales are on pace to sell out even earlier.
Wolfpackers have also lent their support for new construction projects throughout the athletic department. Some of the most impressive undertakings have been the Murphy Football Center, which opened last year and the new press box and luxury suites, which are scheduled for completion prior to the 2004 campaign.
The Wolfpack’s larger-than-life leader enjoys every aspect of being the head football coach at NC State University - developing strategy, competing fiercely, building relationships with young men, meeting with NC State alumni and fans - it’s all part of what makes Chuck Amato so passionate about the job he waited for almost three decades for.
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