(Caption for Photo: Steelers running backs coach Dick Hoak announces his retirement at team headquarters on the South Side on Jan. 2, 2007. (Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Chaz Palla/Trib Live))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers announced this morning that former Steelers player and coach Dick Hoak has died.

Hoak passed away today at the age of 86.

He was a native of Jeannette who spent 10 seasons as a running back playing for the Steelers between 1961 and 1970.

Hoak was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1968.

He retired after the 1970 season and at the time, he was the number two all-time rusher in Steelers history.

Hoak is still sitting at eighth all-time in rushing yards for the Steelers as of the 2025 NFL season.

After his career as a player, he joined the Steelers’ front office.

He joined the team’s coaching staff as the running backs coach in 1972, which was a position that he held until 2007.

Hoak was also the only coach to work under both Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll.