Overview
- NC State announced Monday that Amato died at age 80 in hospice care at his Raleigh home after a years-long battle with throat cancer.
- Amato served as NC State’s head coach from 2000 to 2006 and compiled a 49-37 record that included the program’s only 11-win season in 2002.
- He is credited with recruiting and developing NFL players such as quarterback Philip Rivers and defensive end Mario Williams, and with helping drive stadium and program investments.
- Former players, colleagues and public officials including Gov. Josh Stein, Bill Cowher, Manny Diaz and current coach Dave Doeren issued tributes and schools including Akron released statements of gratitude.
- Amato’s decades-long work as an assistant under Bobby Bowden at Florida State and as a mentor to assistants helped create a coaching tree and left a lasting influence on ACC programs and recruiting in the region.