Charles Henry Noll was born in 1932, ironically enough, in Cleveland, OH. Coach was an All-State running back and tackle at Benedictine High School. He earned a scholarship to play for the University of Dayton where he played guard and linebacker.
Coach was drafted by his hometown Cleveland Browns in the 20th round, pick #239, in 1953. He hung up his cleats at the age of 27, in 1959.
His pro coaching career began with the AFL LA/San Diego Chargers from 1960-61. He coached the defensive line. He became defensive coordinator/backfield coach for San Diego in 1962 and stayed until 1965. He was the defensive coordinator/backfield coach from 1966-1968 for Don Shula and the Baltimore Colts. In 1968, the Colts went 13-1 and set a record for the fewest points allowed in a season with 144.
In 1969, he became the 14th coach in Pittsburgh Steelers history. He was given the position after Penn State coach Joe Paterno declined the job and Shula recommended him. Coach's first-ever draft pick was Hall of Fame defensive tackle "Mean" Joe Greene. The rest is history. He is the only NFL coach to win four Super Bowls, IX, X, XIII and XIV. Coach was awarded UPI AFC Coach of the Year honors in 1972 and won the Maxwell Football Club NFL Coach of the Year in 1989.
Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope dubbed coach "The Emperor Chaz Noll" and rightfully so as he built the Steelers into an NFL dynasty. The Emperor was the architect for the famed "Steel Curtain" defense. He was also named to the NFL 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams. Coach retired in 1991, finishing with a 209-156-1 record, including postseason.
The Emperor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. On August 2, 2007, St. Vincent College in Latrobe, the Steelers home for training camp, honored Coach by dedicating and renaming their football field Chuck Noll Field. Pittsburgh paid homage to the Emperor by naming the street that connects North Shore Dr. and West General Robinson St. on the North Shore as Chuck Noll Way.
He had been in failing health in recent years and passed away at his home in Sewickley on Friday. Pittsburgh lost a legend but heaven gained one hell of a coach. RIP, Emperor.
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