View source for Chuck Noll

{{Short description|American football player and coach (1932–2014)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name               = Chuck Noll
| image              = Chuck Noll 1954.jpg
| alt                = Posed photograph of Noll in a football uniform without a helmet in a three-point stance
| caption            = Noll with the [[Cleveland Browns]] in 1954
| number             = 65
| position           = [[Guard (American football)|Guard]]<br>[[Linebacker]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1932|1|5|mf=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Cleveland, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2014|6|13|1932|1|5|mf=y}}
| death_place        = [[Sewickley, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| height_ft          = 6
| height_in          = 1
| weight_lbs         = 220
| high_school        = [[Benedictine High School (Cleveland, Ohio)|Benedictine]] (Cleveland, Ohio)
| college            = [[Dayton Flyers football|Dayton]]
| draftyear          = 1953
| draftround         = 20
| draftpick          = 239
| pastteams          = * [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|1953}}–{{NFL Year|1959}})
| pastcoaching       = * [[Los Angeles Chargers|Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers]] ([[1960 AFL season|1960]]–[[1961 AFL season|1961]])<br>Defensive line coach
* [[San Diego Chargers]] ([[1962 AFL season|1962]]–[[1965 AFL season|1965]])<br>Defensive coordinator & backfield coach
* [[History of the Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]] ({{NFL Year|1966}}–{{NFL Year|1968}})<br>Defensive coordinator & backfield coach
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] ({{NFL Year|1969}}–{{NFL Year|1991}})<br>Head coach
| highlights         = ;As a player
* 2× [[NFL champion]] ([[1954 NFL Championship Game|1954]], [[1955 NFL Championship Game|1955]])
;As a head coach
* 4× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl IX|IX]], [[Super Bowl X|X]], [[Super Bowl XIII|XIII]], [[Super Bowl XIV|XIV]])
* [[NFL Coach of the Year Award#Greasy Neale Award (Maxwell Football Club)|Greasy Neale Award]] (1989)
* [[NFL Coach of the Year Award#UPI National Football League Coach of the Year|UPI AFC Coach of the Year]] (1972)
* [[NFL 1970s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 1980s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers#Hall of Honor|Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor]]
* [[Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
;As an assistant coach
* [[NFL champion]] ([[1968 NFL Championship Game|1968]])
* [[AFL champion]] ([[1963 AFL Championship Game|1963]])
| coachregrecord     = {{Winning percentage|193|148|1|record=y}}
| coachplayoffrecord = {{Winning percentage|16|8|record=y}}
| coachrecord        = {{Winning percentage|209|156|1|record=y}}
| pfr                = NollCh20
| pfrcoach           = NollCh0
| HOF                = chuck-noll
}}

'''Charles Henry Noll''' (January 5, 1932 – June 13, 2014) was an American professional [[American football|football]] player and [[Head coach#National Football League|head coach]]. Regarded as one of the greatest head coaches of all time, his sole head coaching position was for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from [[1969 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1969]] to [[1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1991]]. When Noll retired after 23 years, only three other head coaches in NFL history had longer tenures with one team.{{efn|[[George Halas]], 30 years with [[list of Chicago Bears head coaches|the Chicago Bears]], [[Curly Lambeau]], 29 years with [[list of Green Bay Packers head coaches|the Green Bay Packers]], and [[Tom Landry]], 29 years with [[list of Dallas Cowboys head coaches|the Dallas Cowboys]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Sean|last=Lahman|title=The Pro Football Historical Abstract: A Hardcore Fan's Guide to All-Time Player Rankings|publisher=Lyons Press|year=2008|page=261}}</ref>}}

After a seven-year playing career that included two [[NFL Championship]]s as a member of his hometown [[Cleveland Browns]] and several years as an assistant coach with various teams, in 1969 Noll took the helm of the Steelers (which had played in only one post-season game in its previous 36 years, a 21–0 loss), and turned it into a perennial contender. As a head coach, Noll won four Super Bowls, four AFC titles and nine Central Division championships, compiled a {{winning percentage|209|156|1|record=y}} overall record, a 16–8 playoff record and had winning records in 15 of his final 20 seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=166|title=Chuck Noll Biography|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=August 24, 2014}}</ref> His tenure was defined by a dominant Steelers team, built on the legendary "[[Steel Curtain]]" defense and a potent offense. With [[Terry Bradshaw]] at [[quarterback]], [[Franco Harris]], [[Lynn Swann]], and [[John Stallworth]] led the attack, while defensive greats [[Joe Greene]], [[Jack Lambert (American football)|Jack Lambert]], and [[Mel Blount]] anchored one of the most feared units in NFL history.<ref>{{cite news |first=Charlon |last=Muscat |title=SteelersComparing the Steelers' Dynasty to Rivals |url=https://www.steelernation.com/2025/02/18/comparing-the-steelers-dynasty-to-rivals |access-date=27 February 2025 |work=Steelers Nation |date=18 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref> His four [[Super Bowl]] victories [[List of Super Bowl head coaches#Coaches with multiple Super Bowl appearances|rank second]] behind [[Bill Belichick]] for the most of any head coach in NFL history, and are the most ever by a head coach without a Super Bowl loss.

Between his playing and coaching tenures, 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.

Noll built the team through astute drafting and meticulous tutoring. During his career, he was notable for the opportunities he gave African Americans, starting the first black quarterback in franchise history and hiring one of the first black assistant coaches in league history. He 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.

==Early life==
Noll was born in [[Cleveland]], Ohio, the youngest of three siblings (by eight years) of William Noll, a butcher, frequently unable to work owing to [[Parkinson's disease]], and Katherine Steigerwald Noll, a florist.<ref name = Pomerantz>Gary M. Pomerantz, ''Their Life's Work: The Brotherhood of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers'' (Simon & Schuster: 2013), p. 62</ref> The family lived in the house Noll's mother grew up in with her 12 siblings, near East 74th Street,<ref name = Valade>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/12/the_invisible_legend_a_nearrec.html|last=Valade|first=Jodie|title=The invisible legend: A near recluse in retirement, Chuck Noll brought the Browns-Steelers rivalry to life|work=Cleveland Plain Dealer|date=December 27, 2008|access-date=August 25, 2014}}</ref> in a neighborhood with a large African-American population,<ref name= Pomerantz/> a fact that helps account for Noll's early championing of opportunity for African Americans in the NFL (both players from traditionally black colleges and later as coaches).

On a local youth football team Noll played with Harold Owens, the nephew of Olympic star [[Jesse Owens]].<ref name="LabriolaObit">{{Cite web |last=Labriola |first=Bob |date=June 14, 2014 |title=Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll, 82 |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/hall-of-fame-coach-chuck-noll-82-13146993 |access-date=August 23, 2014 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref>
Noll attended [[Benedictine High School (Cleveland, Ohio)|Benedictine High School]]. He 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. Throughout high school he continued to work, making 55-cent an hour at Fisher Brothers meat market after school.<ref name = Valade/> Education was always important to him, so despite the schedule, he studied enough to graduate 28th in his class of 252.<ref name = Pomerantz/>

==Playing career==
Noll played [[running back]] and [[Offensive tackle|tackle]] on the high school [[American football|football]] team, winning All-State honors.<ref name = LabriolaObit/> During his senior year, he was named to the "All Catholic Universe" team by the Diocese of Cleveland newspaper.<ref>Bill Livingston & Gregg Brinda, ''The Great Book of Cleveland Sports Lists'' (Running Press: 2008), p. 28</ref> Noll was also a [[Scholastic wrestling|wrestler]] while in high school.<ref>Abbott, Gary. [https://nwhof.org/news/top-10-wrestlers-who-played-in-nfl Top 10 Wrestlers Who Played in the NFL]. ''nwhof.org''. Retrieved February 27, 2023.</ref>

Noll planned to attend [[1949 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]], but during a practice before his freshman year he suffered an epileptic seizure on the field.<ref name = Pomerantz/> Notre Dame coach [[Frank Leahy]] refused to take the risk of allowing Noll to play there and so Noll accepted a football scholarship to the [[University of Dayton]]. Noll graduated with a degree in secondary education.<ref name = LabriolaObit/> As a member of the [[Dayton Flyers football|Flyers]], he was a lineman, linebacker and a co-captain,<ref name = LabriolaObit/> and acquired the nickname, the "Pope," for his "'infallible' grasp of the game."<ref name = Ruck_Patterson>Rob Ruck, Maggie Jones Patterson & Michael P. Weber, ''Rooney: A Sporting Life'' (University of Nebraska Press: 2010) ["Ruck, Patterson & Weber"], p. 169.</ref>

===Cleveland Browns===
Noll was selected by the [[1953 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] in the 20th round of the [[1953 NFL draft]] (239th overall). During his first year, the Browns lost to the [[1953 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] in the [[1953 NFL Championship Game|NFL championship]]. The next two years, however, the Browns were NFL champions, and Noll finished his NFL career with eight interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and a touchdown on one of each.

Although the undersized Noll was drafted as a linebacker,<ref name = DiPaola>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6081467-74/noll-football-steelers#axzz3B7TI7frh|title=Legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll dies|last=Mosher|first=Jerry|work=Tribune Review|access-date=August 23, 2014}}</ref> Coach [[Paul Brown]] used him as one of his "messenger guards" to send play calls to the quarterback, beginning with [[Otto Graham]]. Brown recalled that Noll soon "could have called the plays himself without any help from the bench. That's how smart he was."<ref name = Ruck_Patterson/> According to [[Art Rooney, Jr.]], director of scouting for the Steelers before and during most of Noll's tenure, Noll felt demeaned by Brown's use of him in that way and "disliked the term 'messenger boy' so much that as coach of the Steelers he entrusted all the play calling to his quarterbacks."<ref>Art Rooney, Jr. & Roy McHugh, ''Ruanaidh: The Story of Art Rooney and His Clan'' (Geyer Printing Co. [for Art Rooney, Jr.]: c2008), p. 241.</ref>

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]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.cleveland.com/letters/2014/06/chuck_noll_letter_to_the_edito.html|last=Price|first=Elizabeth|title=Letter to the Editor|work=Cleveland Plain Dealer|date=June 19, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2014}}</ref> and sold insurance on the side.<ref name = Valade/> During that period Noll also attended [[Cleveland-Marshall College of Law]] at night. He told [[Dan Rooney]] that he decided against becoming a lawyer because "he didn't really like the constant confrontation and arguments that come with being a lawyer."<ref>Dan Rooney (as told to Andrew E. Masich, Andrew & David F. Halaas), ''Dan Rooney: My 75 Years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL'' (Da Capo Press: 2007).</ref>

When 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''. He was surprised, however, when he was not offered an open position on the University of Dayton coaching staff.<ref name=HoFObit>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/story/2014/6/14/chuck-noll-1932-2014|title=Chuck Noll, 1932-2014|work=Pro Football Hall of Fame|date=June 14, 2014|access-date=August 24, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629040404/http://www.profootballhof.com/story/2014/6/14/chuck-noll-1932-2014/|archive-date=June 29, 2015}}</ref> He was offered a position by [[Sid Gillman]] on the staff of the Los Angeles Chargers, during its inaugural season.<ref name = DiPaola/>

==Coaching career==
[[File:Chuck noll 1958.jpg|thumb|190px|Noll giving a presentation at his alma mater, Benedictine High School, in 1958]]
Noll was an assistant coach for the [[American Football League]]'s then Los Angeles and later [[San Diego Chargers]] from [[1960 Los Angeles Chargers season|1960]] to [[1965 San Diego Chargers season|1965]]. He then became assistant to head coach [[Don Shula]] of the NFL [[History of the Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]] from [[1965 Baltimore Colts season|1965]] to [[1968 Baltimore Colts season|1968]], when he was selected as the [[1969 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]' head coach.

=== Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers ===
Noll is considered part of [[Sid Gillman#Coaching tree|Sid Gillman's coaching tree]]. He later remembered Gillman as "one of the game's prime researchers and offensive specialists. In six years, I had more exposure to football than I normally would have received in 12 years."<ref name = HoFObit/> During Noll's six-year tenure with the Chargers, where he was defensive line coach, the defensive backfield coach and defensive coordinator, the team appeared in five AFL championship games.<ref>Lahman, p. 260.</ref> Gillman said that Noll "had a great way with players," specifically "If a guy didn't do the job expected, Chuck could climb on his back."<ref name = GruverAFL>Ed Gruver, ''The American Football League: A Year-by-Year History, 1960-1969'' (McFarland: 1997) ["Gruver"], p. 97.</ref> Massive defensive tackle [[Ernie Ladd]] said that Noll was a "fiery guy" but also "the best teacher I ever played under." "He and I were always fighting, always squabbling, but he had a great way of teaching. I take my hat off to Chuck. He was one of the main reasons for our success."<ref name = GruverAFL/> The defensive line under Noll became known as the "[[Fearsome Foursome (American football)|Fearsome Foursome]]," and during 1961 defensive end [[Earl Faison]] was named AFL rookie of the year.

During Noll's time at Chargers, [[Al Davis]] was also an assistant and scout. Davis would later become coach and general manager of the [[Oakland Raiders]], the principal AFC rival of the Steelers' in the 1970s.

=== Baltimore Colts ===
With the Colts, Noll was defensive backfield coach and later defensive coordinator. Together with assistant coach [[Bill Arnsparger]] the Colts employed shifting alignments of rotating zone and maximum blitz defensive packages.<ref>Gruver, p. 216.</ref> In [[1968 Baltimore Colts season|1968]], Noll's last season as defensive coordinator, the Baltimore Colts compiled a 13–1 record in the regular season and tied the NFL season record for fewest points allowed (144).<ref>The record has since been broken by the [[1977 Atlanta Falcons season|1977 Atlanta Falcons]] (129).</ref>

Shula was impressed by Noll's approach: "He explained how to do things and wrote up the technique. He was one of the first coaches I was around that wrote up in great detail all of the techniques used by players—for example, the backpedal and the defensive back's position on the receiver. He was like a classroom teacher."<ref name = Valade/>

The Colts won the [[1968 NFL Championship Game|NFL championship]] by routing the [[1968 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] 34–0 in Cleveland, but were shocked by the upstart AFL champion [[1968 New York Jets season|New York Jets]], 16–7, in [[Super Bowl III]] at the [[Miami Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]] in [[Miami]]. The next day, Noll interviewed for the head coach position in Pittsburgh.

=== Pittsburgh Steelers ===
{{multiple image
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| footer = As the head coach of the Steelers, Noll helped lead the team to four Super Bowl victories, [[Super Bowl IX|IX]], [[Super Bowl X|X]], [[Super Bowl XIII|XIII]] and [[Super Bowl XIV|XIV]]
| image1 = Super Bowl IX Ring - NFL Draft Experience 2021.jpg
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}}
At age 37, Noll was named the 14th head coach of the [[1969 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] on January 27, {{nfly|1969}},<ref name=plcnn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zmIqAAAAIBAJ&pg=7232%2C4310964 |work=Pittsburgh Press|last=Livingston |first=Pat |title=Chuck Noll named Steeler coach |date=January 27, 1969 |page=24}}</ref><ref name=ppgthr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lKckAAAAIBAJ&pg=6877%2C4312936 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |last=Sell |first=Jack |title=Noll gets three years to build Steelers |date=January 28, 1969 |page=16}}</ref> after [[1968 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]] coach [[Joe Paterno]] turned down an offer for the position.<ref name=mjapcn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uwMqAAAAIBAJ&pg=2413%2C3450112 |work=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Colts' Noll named coach of Steelers |date=January 27, 1969 |page=10, part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> At the time of his hiring, he was the youngest head coach in the NFL.<!-- Don Shula was 33 in 1963 --><ref name = DulacObit>{{cite web|last=Dulac |first=Gerry |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/06/13/Former-Steeler-coach-Chuck-Noll-is-dead/stories/201406130225 |title=Chuck Noll / Coach who led Steelers to 4 Super Bowl titles|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= June 14, 2014|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> Steelers owner [[Art Rooney]] would later credit Don Shula as the person who recommended Noll as a head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N1ovAAAAIBAJ&dq=art-rooney%20election&pg=1475%2C699771|last=Pope|first=Edwin|title=The Chief|work=Beaver County Times|date=January 6, 1985|access-date=August 24, 2014}}</ref>

Noll inherited a struggling team that had yet to record a postseason victory and regularly trotted out short-term coaches with Noll being the [[List of Pittsburgh Steelers head coaches|16th coaching change]] in the 36 years of the franchise's existence. In his first season as head coach, Noll led the Steelers to their [[1969 Pittsburgh Steelers season|worst season to date in franchise history]],<ref name="h340">{{cite web | title=Steelers Worst Season Record | website=StatMuse | date=2024-12-15 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/steelers-worst-season-record | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> finishing with a 1–13 record.<ref name="y757">{{cite web | title=1969 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1969.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> This record allowed for the Steelers to hold the first overall pick in the [[1970 NFL draft]] which the team used to select [[Louisiana Tech]] quarterback [[Terry Bradshaw]].<ref name="c242">{{cite web | title=1970 NFL Draft Listing | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/draft.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref>

Prior to the [[1970 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1970 season]], Noll cut much of the team's roster. Laying the foundation for the coaching style he later became known for, Noll told the team, "The reason you've been losing is you're not any good. You're not fast enough, you're not strong enough, you're not quick enough, you're not smart enough. I'm going to have to get rid of most of you."<ref name="c315">{{cite web | title=Remembering Chuck Noll and A Turning Point for Pittsburgh | website=90.5 WESA | date=2014-06-16 | url=https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2014-06-16/remembering-chuck-noll-and-a-turning-point-for-pittsburgh | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> In total, only 14 players from the 1969 roster returned in 1970.<ref name="a100">{{cite web | title=1969 Pittsburgh Steelers Roster & Players | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1969_roster | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref><ref name="u633">{{cite web | title=1970 Pittsburgh Steelers Roster & Players | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1970_roster.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> With a rebuilding team, Noll helped the Steelers improve to a record of 5–9, moving them to third place in the [[AFC Central]].<ref name="v615">{{cite web | title=1970 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1970.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> Noll became known during practice to dwell on fundamentals—such as the [[three-point stance]], things that professional players were expected to know. [[Andy Russell (American football)|Andy Russell]], already a [[Pro Bowl]] linebacker before Noll arrived and one of the few players Noll kept after purging the roster, was told by Noll that he didn't have his feet positioned correctly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5493709 |last=Millman|first=Chad|title=How Chuck Noll Saved the Steelers|work=ESPN.com|date=September 1, 2010 |access-date=June 14, 2014}} Excerpt from Chad Millman & Shawn Coyne, ''The Ones Who Hit the Hardest: The Steelers, the Cowboys, the 70s and the Fight for America's Soul'' (Gotham: 2010).</ref>

Throughout [[1971 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1971]], Noll implemented a defensive system that became known as the "[[Steel Curtain]]" defense. His defensive philosophy relied on controlling the line of scrimmage, stopping the run, and pressuring the quarterback, notably often done through [[blitzing]] with players such as linebackers [[Joe Greene]] and [[Jack Ham]].<ref name="h041">{{cite web | last=Dedman | first=Gordon | title=Steelers History: The Architect of the Steel Curtain | website=Steel City Blitz | date=2021-09-02 | url=https://steelcityblitz.com/steelers-history-the-architect-of-the-steel-curtain/ | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref>  His coaching style earned him the nickname of The Emperor Chaz by [[sports announcer]] [[Myron Cope]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Len | last=Pasquarelli | title=Cowher not universally adored in hometown | date=January 6, 2007 | url =https://proxy.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2721337 | work =ESPN.com | access-date = July 4, 2008 }}</ref> It was with this defensive strategy that the Steelers allowed just 175 points during the regular season, the second-fewest in the NFL and finished with a record of 11–3.<ref name="j071">{{cite web | title=1972 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1972.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> The team went on to record their first post season victory against the [[Oakland Raiders]] 13–7, which included one of the most famous plays in NFL history, The [[Immaculate Reception]].<ref name="g195">{{cite web | title=Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212230pit.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> The Steelers went on to lose the AFC championship to the [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|eventual Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins]] 21–17.<ref name="l967">{{cite web | title=Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212310pit.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref>

Continuing to build on the team's success in [[1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1973]], the Steelers won 10 of their 14 games and clinched a second consecutive playoff berth for the first time in franchise history. However, the team fell 33–14 against the [[Oakland Raiders]] in a rematch of the previous season's divisional round.<ref name="f561">{{cite web | title=1973 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1973.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref>

It was in 1974 that the tide turned for Noll and the team. After a regular season record of 10–3–1 clinched a playoff berth for the third year, Noll led the team on an upset playoff run. The Steelers defeated the [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[Oakland Raiders]] in the playoffs, scoring 56 total points and only allowing a combined 27. The season culminated in a [[Super Bowl IX]] victory over the [[Minnesota Vikings]], giving the Steelers their first ever championship appearance and win.<ref name="c568">{{cite web | title=1974 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1974.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref>
[[File:ChuckNollWhiteHouse.jpg|thumb|left|Noll at the [[White House]] following the Steelers' [[Super Bowl XIV]] victory in 1980]]
He 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.<ref name="v765">{{cite web | title=1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=2024-12-16 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1975.htm | access-date=2024-12-17}}</ref> He went on to become the first head coach to win four [[Super Bowl]]s <!--coaching the Steelers to victory in Super Bowls-->([[Super Bowl IX|IX]]<!-- (1975)-->, [[Super Bowl X|X]]<!-- (1976)-->, [[Super Bowl XIII|XIII]]<!-- (1979)-->,<!-- and--> [[Super Bowl XIV|XIV]]<!-- (1980)-->). The teams that won [[Super Bowl]]s [[Super Bowl IX|IX]] and [[Super Bowl X|X]] used a run-oriented offense, primarily featuring [[Franco Harris]] and blocking back [[Rocky Bleier]]. Over the next few years, [[Terry Bradshaw]] matured into an outstanding passer, and the teams that won Super Bowls [[Super Bowl XIII|XIII]] and [[Super Bowl XIV|XIV]] fully utilized the receiving tandem of [[Lynn Swann]] and [[John Stallworth]].

While most of his contemporaries enforced strict [[curfew]] rules on its players, Noll was very lax on off-the-field behavior. This was shown at [[Super Bowl IX]]. While Noll's counterpart – [[1974 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] head coach [[Bud Grant]] – strictly kept his team in their hotel rooms except for practice before the game, Noll told his team upon arriving in [[New Orleans]] to go out on [[Bourbon Street]] "and get the partying out of your system now."<ref>America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions. The 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers</ref>

Noll was notoriously shy and did not like the media or give many interviews. His 1970s teams were so talented that his contributions as head coach (and architect of the team) often were overlooked.

Infamously in [[1983 NFL draft|1983's draft]], Noll elected to pass on [[University of Pittsburgh]] and Pittsburgh native [[Dan Marino]], instead selecting [[nose tackle]] [[Gabriel Rivera]].<ref name="o175">{{cite web | title=1983 NFL Draft Listing | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1983/draft.htm | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref> Marino went on to become a [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame quarterback]] who broke numerous passing records with the [[Miami Dolphins]] and won honors such as [[List of NFL MVP awards|league MVP]] and the [[Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award]] while being named to the [[Pro Bowl]] nine times.<ref name="k490">{{cite web | title=Dan Marino Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=1961-09-15 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MariDa00.htm | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref> Rivera only played six professional games due to being [[paralyzed]] after an accident in which he was [[drunk driving]].<ref name="u750">{{cite web | last=Schad | first=Tom | title=Gabe Rivera, ex-Steelers, Texas Tech DT paralyzed in wreck, dies at 57 | website=USA TODAY | date=2018-07-17 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2018/07/17/gabe-rivera-steelers-texas-tech-football-paralyzed-wreck-dies-nfl/791825002/ | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref> Noll later explained his decision was a reaction to a rumor that Marino had done [[cocaine]] during his time at Pitt. Noll also believed the team would be able to retain then 34-year-old Bradshaw and that [[Cliff Stoudt]] would be able to replace him.<ref name="o428">{{cite web | last=Clark | first=Joe | title=Chuck Noll Explains Steelers Decision To Pass On Dan Marino | website=Steelers Depot | date=2023-10-28 | url=https://steelersdepot.com/2023/10/chuck-noll-explains-steelers-decision-to-pass-on-dan-marino/#:~:text=Drafting%20Marino%20would've%20given,rumors%2Fincidents%20impact%20drafts%20today. | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref>

In Noll’s twilight years as a head coach, his team’s performances waned. After Bradshaw unexpectedly retired at the conclusion of the 1983 season, Noll chose 1980’s first round pick [[Mark Malone]] to be his successor. The Steelers finished 1984 going 9–7 and achieving first place in the AFC Central. 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.<ref name="h100">{{cite web | title=1984 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=1984-09-02 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1984.htm | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref>  Over Noll’s next four seasons, he led the team to a record of 26–37.  In 1988, 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.<ref name="i484">{{cite web | title=1988 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=1988-09-04 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1988.htm | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref> As of the 2024 season, this remains the last time the Steelers placed last in their division.<ref name="g974">{{cite web | title=The 1988 Steelers: The Year I Re-Found My Faith in the Franchise | website=Steel Curtain Rising | date=2024-09-01 | url=https://steelcurtainrising.com/2024/09/steelers-1988-season-record-history-noll-rooney-brister-woodson-hoge-recap.html/ | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref> Noll was heavily criticized during the season. His former quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, commented that "the game has passed him by".<ref name="q913">{{cite web | last=Chrise | first=Kyle | title=The season when Chuck Noll got the Matt Canada treatment | website=Behind the Steel Curtain | date=2023-06-09 | url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2023/6/9/23750568/the-pittsburgh-steelers-season-when-chuck-noll-got-the-matt-canada-treatment | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref>

He rebounded in 1989, leading the team to an improved 9–7 record with quarterback [[Bubby Brister]] at the helm. Noll was recognized as [[NFL Coach of the Year]], when he guided the Steelers into the second round of the playoffs, which they lost to the [[1989 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] with a final score of 24–23. The team was not especially talented and lost its first two regular-season games by scores of 51–0 and 41–10.<ref name="z050">{{cite web | title=1989 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees | website=[[Pro Football Reference]] | date=1989-09-10 | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1989.htm | access-date=2024-12-10}}</ref> However, Noll kept the team focused and its play steadily improved enough to make the playoffs and play competitively in two playoff games; Noll went a combined 16–16 in his last two seasons at the helm of the Steelers.

===Post-coaching life===
[[File:Chuck Noll Way in Pittsburgh.jpg|thumb|Street sign for Chuck Noll Way as it appeared in July 2022.]]

Noll retired as Steelers head coach after the [[1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1991 season]] with a career record of 209–156–1, including regular season and postseason games. He was elected to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] two years later, in 1993.

Noll maintained a residence in Sewickley, a suburb of [[Pittsburgh]], and also spent time at his [[Florida]] home. The [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] gave him a gift of a stationary bicycle, which he avidly used. Noll's mobility was limited by chronic [[Vertebral column|back problems]]. His soft-spoken nature remained consistent, granting occasional, yet infrequent, interviews between his retirement and his death. 

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. 

He spent about half the year in Pittsburgh with his wife Marianne. Their son, Chris, is a teacher in a private high school in [[Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs2008/news/story?page=hotread19/chucknoll&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines%20The%20lessons%20of%20Chuck%20Noll|last= Merrill|first=Elizabeth|title=The Lessons of Chuck Noll|work=ESPN.com|date=January 22, 2009|access-date=August 24, 2014}}</ref>

==Death==
Noll died of [[natural causes]] in his [[Sewickley, Pennsylvania]], [[condominium]] on June 13, 2014, after suffering for several years from [[Alzheimer's disease]], a [[Cardiovascular disease|heart condition]], and [[Vertebral column|back]] problems.<ref name = DulacObit/> Noll's funeral was held on June 17, 2014, at [[Saint Paul Cathedral (Pittsburgh)|St. Paul's Cathedral]] in Pittsburgh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6284467-74/funeral-arrangements-avenue#axzz34n6I942k|title=Noll Funeral Arrangements|work=Tribune Review|date=June 14, 2014|access-date=August 24, 2014}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Chuck Noll field.jpg|thumb|right|Chuck Noll Field at [[Saint Vincent College]].  Here, Saint Vincent returns to college football in a game against [[Gallaudet University]].]]
Noll's legacy includes providing opportunities for [[African American]]s. Under Noll, [[Joe Gilliam]] became the league's first African American starting quarterback just a few seasons after the AFL started [[Marlin Briscoe]], and [[James Harris (quarterback)|James Harris]] (Gilliam started ahead of [[Terry Bradshaw]] briefly during the [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1974 season]]). In January 1975, Franco Harris became the first African American to win the Super Bowl MVP award.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Steelers set the standard for diversity in the NFL |url=https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2020/06/19/pittsburgh-steelers-standard-diversity-nfl/ |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=Steelers Wire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chuck Noll's low profile belies lasting legacy |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chuck-noll-s-low-profile-belies-lasting-legacy-0ap2000000358698 |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Joshua |title=Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Chuck Noll Deserves Proper Appreciation |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1052787-legendary-pittsburgh-steelers-coach-chuck-noll-deserves-proper-appreciation |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Legendary Steelers Coach Chuck Noll Fact Blitz |url=https://upittpress.org/legendary-steelers-coach-chuck-noll-fact-blitz/ |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=University of Pittsburgh Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=J |first=Homer |date=July 24, 2014 |title=The living legacy of Chuck Noll |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-2014-preview-preseason-news-updates-roster-depth-chart-salary-cap/2014/7/24/5919987/chuck-noll-and-his-living-legacy |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=Behind the Steel Curtain |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2017 |title=Meet Author of "Chuck Noll: His Life's Work" |url=https://ptlibrary.org/meet-author-chuck-noll-lifes-work/ |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=Peters Township Public Library |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the 1980s, [[Tony Dungy]], who played for two seasons under Noll in the late 1970s, got his start as an NFL assistant coach, initially as the Steelers' defensive backs coach, and later he became the first African-American coordinator (defensive) in the NFL. Noll strongly promoted Dungy as a well-qualified head coaching candidate, but it did not happen for Dungy with the Steelers when Noll retired after the 1991 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lippock |first=Ron |date=December 28, 2017 |title=Interview: Tony Dungy Used Chuck Noll's Teachings To Become A Great Head Coach |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2017/12/interview-tony-dungy-used-chuck-nolls-teaching-become-great-head-coach/ |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=Steelers Depot |language=en-US}}</ref> However, Dungy did become head coach of the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] and later became the first African American coach to win a Super Bowl ([[Super Bowl XLI|XLI]]) with the [[Indianapolis Colts]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garber |first=Greg |date=February 2, 2007 |title=A Retrospective on Progress |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=2844368&page=1 |website=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Koehler |first=Allison  |date=September 3, 2021 |title=Life lessons Tony Dungy learned from Steelers HC Chuck Noll |url=https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/03/pittsburgh-steelers-chuck-noll-tony-dungy-life-lessons-twitter/ |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=Steelers Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dungy shares his respect for Noll |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/dungy-shares-his-respect-for-noll-17423241 |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=www.steelers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Washinski |first=Bill |last2=Writer |first2=Staff |date=February 27, 2022 |title=Tony Dungy shares the private reason Chuck Noll passed on Dan Marino - SteelerNation.com |url=https://www.steelernation.com/tony-dungy-shares-the-private-reason-chuck-noll-passed-on-dan-marino/ |access-date=June 7, 2022 |website=www.steelernation.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On August 2, 2007, the field at [[St. Vincent Seminary]] in [[Latrobe, Pennsylvania]], was dedicated and renamed [[Chuck Noll Field]] in honor of the former coach. The Steelers have held their summer camp at St. Vincent College, as it was Noll's idea to take the team away from the distractions in the city to prepare for the season each year, since 1975.<ref name="z855">{{cite web | title=Chuck Noll Field | website=Saint Vincent College | date=2010-10-11 | url=https://athletics.stvincent.edu/sports/2010/10/11/GEN_1011102028 | access-date=2025-01-24}}</ref> The team celebrated 50 years of utilizing the field in July 2015.<ref name="w502">{{cite web | title=Stallworth: 'I actually enjoyed training camp' | website=Steelers.com | date=2015-06-03 | url=https://www.steelers.com/news/stallworth-i-actually-enjoyed-training-camp-15362102 | access-date=2025-01-24}}</ref>

Noll was honored on October 7, 2007, at [[Heinz Field]] during the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]' pre-game ceremonies before the Steelers blew out the Seahawks 21–0.<ref name="c727">{{cite web | title=Steelers 21-0 Seahawks (Oct 7, 2007) Final Score | website=ESPN | date=2025-01-09 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/271007023/seahawks-steelers | access-date=2025-01-09}}</ref>

On September 30, 2011, Pittsburgh honored 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 (Pittsburgh)|North Shore]] of [[Pittsburgh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/09/30/chuck-noll-gets-his-way/ |title=Chuck Noll Gets His Way|publisher=Pittsburgh.cbslocal.com |date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref>

Noll has been the subject of multiple publications due to his on-field success. His biography, written by sports author [[Michael MacCambridge]], ''Chuck Noll: His Life's Work'' was published on October 28, 2016.<ref name="s585">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-14 |title=Chuck Noll: His Life's Work By Michael MacCambridge |url=https://shop.steelers.com/chuck-noll-his-lifes-work-by-michael-maccambridge?srsltid=AfmBOopl0GifIm8DCRBMF3Hy-olDcS2W1kHH0XXm1xMIqWAFbjt3J_dk |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=The Official Steelers Pro Shop}}</ref> ''Men of Steel'' by Jim Wexwell was published in 2006, which heavily focuses on the Steelers' early success through the 1970's and 1980's, highlighting Noll's tenure with the team.<ref name="j504">{{cite book | last=Wexell | first=J. | title=Pittsburgh Steelers: Men of Steel | publisher=Sports Pub | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-58261-996-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFmSC3oKhgUC | access-date=2025-01-24 | page=}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
![[1969 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1969 NFL season|1969]]
||1||13||0||.071||4th in NFL Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
![[1970 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1970 NFL season|1970]]
||5||9||0||.357||3rd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
![[1971 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1971 NFL season|1971]]
||6||8||0||.429||2nd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1972 NFL season|1972]]
||11||3||0||.786||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] in [[1972–73 NFL playoffs|AFC Championship Game]]'''</small>
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1973 NFL season|1973]]
||10||4||0|||.714||'''2nd in AFC Central'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1973 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] in [[1973–74 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Round]]'''</small>
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1974 NFL season|1974]]
||10||3||1||.750||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 3 || 0 || 1.000 || <small>'''[[Super Bowl IX]] champions'''</small>
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1975 NFL season|1975]]
||12||2||0||.857||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 3 || 0 || 1.000 || <small>'''[[Super Bowl X]] champions'''</small>
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1976 NFL season|1976]]
||10||4||0||.714||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] in [[1976–77 NFL playoffs|AFC Championship Game]]'''</small>
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1977 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1977 NFL season|1977]]
||9||5||0||.643||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1977 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] in [[1977–78 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Round]]'''</small>
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1978 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1978 NFL season|1978]]
||14||2||0||.875||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 3 || 0 || 1.000 || <small>'''[[Super Bowl XIII]] champions'''</small>
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
![[1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1979 NFL season|1979]]
||12||4||0||.750||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 3 || 0 || 1.000 || <small>'''[[Super Bowl XIV]] champions'''</small>
|-
![[1980 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1980 NFL season|1980]]
||9||7||0||.563||3rd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
![[1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1981 NFL season|1981]]
||8||8||0||.500||2nd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1982 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1982 NFL season|1982]]
||6||3||0||.667||'''2nd in AFC Central'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1982 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] in [[1982–83 NFL playoffs|AFC Wild Card Round]]'''</small>
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1983 NFL season|1983]]
||10||6||0||.625||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1983 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders]] in [[1983–84 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Round]]'''</small>
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1984 NFL season|1984]]
||9||7||0||.563||'''1st in AFC Central'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1984 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] in [[1984–85 NFL playoffs|AFC Championship Game]]'''</small>
|-
![[1985 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1985 NFL season|1985]]
||7||9||0||.438||2nd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
![[1986 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1986 NFL season|1986]]
||6||10||0||.375||3rd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
![[1987 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1987 NFL season|1987]]
||8||7||0||.533||3rd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
![[1988 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1988 NFL season|1988]]
||5||11||0||.313||4th in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1989 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1989 NFL season|1989]]
||9||7||0||.563||'''2nd in AFC Central'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || <small>'''Lost to the [[1989 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] in [[1989–90 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Round]]'''</small>
|-
![[1990 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1990 NFL season|1990]]
||9||7||0||.563||3rd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
![[1991 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]||[[1991 NFL season|1991]]
||7||9||0||.438||2nd in AFC Central|| — || — || — || —
|-
! colspan="2"|Total||193||148||1||.566||||16||8||.667||
|}

==Coaching tree==
Assistants under Chuck Noll who became college or professional head coaches:
* [[Rollie Dotsch]]: [[Birmingham Stallions]] (1983–1985)
* [[George Perles]]: [[Michigan State Spartans]] (1983–1994)
* [[Lionel Taylor]]: [[Texas Southern University]] (1984–1988), [[England Monarchs]] (1998)
* [[Woody Widenhofer]]: [[Oklahoma Outlaws]] (1984), [[Missouri Tigers]] (1985–1988), [[Vanderbilt Commodores]] (1997–2001)
* [[Bud Carson]]: [[Cleveland Browns]] (1989–1990)
* [[Rod Rust]]: [[New England Patriots]] (1990), [[Montreal Alouettes]] (2001)
* [[Joe Walton]]:  [[New York Jets]] (1983–1989), [[Robert Morris College]] (1994–2013)
* [[Tony Dungy]]: [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] (1996–2001), [[Indianapolis Colts]] (2002–2008)
* [[Hal Hunter (American football, born 1959)|Hal Hunter]]: [[Louisiana State University]] (1999)
* [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]]: [[Carolina Panthers]] (2002–2010), [[Denver Broncos]] (2011–2014), [[Chicago Bears]] (2015–2017)

==See also==
* [[List of American Football League players]]
* [[List of National Football League head coaches with 50 wins]]
* [[List of National Football League head coaches with 200 wins]]
* [[List of Super Bowl head coaches]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Profootballhof|166}}
* {{find a Grave|131374828}}

{{Pittsburgh Steelers coach navbox}}
{{1960 Los Angeles Chargers}}
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