Chuck Amato: key obituary facts
Is Chuck Amato dead? Yes. Chuck Amato died on October 19, 2026, at age 80.
Cause of death: Chuck Amato's cause of death was reported as Cancer.
What was Chuck Amato known for?
He was an American football player and coach.
More about Chuck Amato
Born: 26 June 1946.
Place of birth: Easton.
Gender: male.
Nationality: United States.
Education: North Carolina State University, Easton Area High School.
Also known as: Charles Michael Amato.
Chuck Amato, an American college football coach who led NC State and coached at Florida State, died of throat cancer on October 19, 2026, aged 80.
Born Charles Michael Amato in Easton, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Easton Area High School in 1964, where he lettered three years as a linebacker and won a Pennsylvania state wrestling championship. At North Carolina State University, he played linebacker from 1965 to 1967 and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education in 1969, followed by a master’s degree in education in 1973.
Amato spent 18 seasons as an assistant coach at Florida State, from 1982 through 1999, then returned to the program for another three seasons, from 2007 to 2009. He became NC State’s head coach in 2000 and held the post through 2006, compiling a 49-37 record. His coaching career concluded at Akron, where he served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2017. He retired in 2018. His career included playing for the university he later led, a long stretch on Florida State’s coaching staff and a final role at Akron.