41 Facts About Chuck Noll

Charles Henry Noll was an American professional football player and head coach.

When Chuck Noll retired after 23 years, only three other head coaches in NFL history had longer tenures with one team.

Chuck Noll's tenure was defined by a dominant Steelers team, built on the legendary "Steel Curtain" defense and a potent offense.

Between his playing and coaching tenures, Chuck Noll won a total of seven NFL Championships as well as one AFL Championship and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, his first year of eligibility.

Chuck Noll built the team through astute drafting and meticulous tutoring.

Chuck Noll was often credited with maintaining the morale of Western Pennsylvania, despite the region's steep economic decline in the late 20th century, by creating a team of champions in the image of its blue-collar fan base.

The family lived in the house Chuck Noll's mother grew up in with her 12 siblings, near East 74th Street, in a neighborhood with a large African-American population, a fact that helps account for Chuck Noll's early championing of opportunity for African Americans in the NFL.

Chuck Noll began working in seventh grade and by the time he entered high school, he had saved enough for two-year's worth of the $150 tuition.

Chuck Noll played running back and tackle on the high school football team, winning All-State honors.

Chuck Noll planned to attend Notre Dame, but during a practice before his freshman year he suffered an epileptic seizure on the field.

Chuck Noll was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 20th round of the 1953 NFL draft.

The next two years the Browns were NFL champions, and Chuck Noll finished his NFL career with eight interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and a touchdown on one of each.

Chuck Noll was paid only $5,000 per season with the Browns and so while there he acted as substitute teacher at Holy Name High School and sold insurance on the side.

When Chuck Noll lost the starting guard position to John Wooten, he chose to retire at age 27 expecting to begin his coaching career at his alma mater.

Chuck Noll was surprised when he was not offered an open position on the University of Dayton coaching staff.

Chuck Noll was offered a position by Sid Gillman on the staff of the Los Angeles Chargers, during its inaugural season.

Chuck Noll was an assistant coach for the American Football League's then Los Angeles and later San Diego Chargers from 1960 to 1965.

Chuck Noll then became assistant to head coach Don Shula of the NFL Baltimore Colts from 1965 to 1968, when he was selected as the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach.

Chuck Noll was one of the main reasons for our success.

The next day, Chuck Noll interviewed for the head coach position in Pittsburgh.

At age 37, Chuck Noll was named the 14th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 27,1969, after Penn State coach Joe Paterno turned down an offer for the position.

Chuck Noll inherited a struggling team that had yet to record a postseason victory and regularly trotted out short-term coaches with Chuck Noll being the 16th coaching change in the 36 years of the franchise's existence.

Chuck Noll's coaching style earned him the nickname of The Emperor Chaz by sports announcer Myron Cope.

Chuck Noll led the team to continued dominance, winning Super Bowl X the following year over the Dallas Cowboys, making the Steelers the second team to ever repeat Super Bowl titles.

Chuck Noll went on to become the first head coach to win four Super Bowls.

Chuck Noll was notoriously shy and did not like the media or give many interviews.

Infamously in 1983's draft, Chuck Noll elected to pass on University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh native Dan Marino, instead selecting nose tackle Gabriel Rivera.

Chuck Noll later explained his decision was a reaction to a rumor that Marino had done cocaine during his time at Pitt.

Chuck Noll believed the team would be able to retain then 34-year-old Bradshaw and that Cliff Stoudt would be able to replace him.

Chuck Noll led the team on a playoff run that concluded with an AFC Championship loss to the Miami Dolphins who, ironically, had Marino as their starting quarterback.

In 1988, Chuck Noll led the team to the worst record they had experienced since 1969 when they won just five out of their 16 regular season games, making them fall to fourth place in the AFC Central.

Chuck Noll was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame two years later, in 1993.

Chuck Noll maintained a residence in suburban Pittsburgh, and spent time at his Florida home.

Chuck Noll held the ceremonial title of administration adviser in the Pittsburgh Steelers' front office but had no real role in the team's operations after his retirement.

Chuck Noll spent about half the year in Pittsburgh with his wife Marianne.

Chuck Noll died of natural causes in his Sewickley, Pennsylvania, condominium on June 13,2014, after suffering for several years from Alzheimer's disease, a heart condition, and back problems.

Chuck Noll's funeral was held on June 17,2014, at St Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh.

Chuck Noll strongly promoted Dungy as a well-qualified head coaching candidate, but it did not happen for Dungy with the Steelers when Chuck Noll retired after the 1991 season.

On September 30,2011, Pittsburgh honored Chuck Noll by naming a new street after him.

Chuck Noll Way connects North Shore Drive to West General Robinson St The street runs along Stage AE, on the North Shore of Pittsburgh.

Chuck Noll has been the subject of multiple publications due to his on-field success.