Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers running back and running backs coach Dick Hoak is one of three former assistant coaches to be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of its Awards of Excellence for 2025, the Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday.
The Hall of Fame established the Awards of Excellence in 2022 in order to recognize the accomplishments of those that performed in behind-the-scenes roles for NFL teams, including equipment managers, athletic trainers, assistant coaches, public relations staff and film staff.
Hoak, a Jeannette, Pa, native and Penn State alum, was drafted by the Steelers in 1961. He played 10 seasons for the team, with his most productive season coming in 1968, when he earned a Pro Bowl nod after rushing 175 times for 858 yards and three touchdowns.
After spending ten years in Pittsburgh as a player, Hoak went on to serve as the franchise’s running backs coach for his entire 35-year coaching career, spanning from 1972-06. He coached in six Super Bowls, winning five rings.
Upon his retirement on January 1, 2007, Hoak had been a member of the Steelers organization for 742 of their 1,057 games to that point, and was the only coach to work under both Hall of Famers Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.
During his coaching career, Hoak mentored two Hall of Famers in Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis. Hoak was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2017.
Former Steelers public relations director Joe Gordon and equipment manager Tony Parisi were honored in the first group of awardees in 2022. Tom Moore, who was the Steelers wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator from 1977-89 was awarded in 2023.
