The Steelers announced his death on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with club president Art Rooney II paying tribute to a man whose association with the organisation spanned 45 years.
Hoak was selected by Pittsburgh in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft after playing college football at Penn State. He spent his entire 10-year playing career with the Steelers, featuring from 1961 to 1970.
His best individual season came in 1968, when he rushed for a career-high 858 yards and earned his only Pro Bowl selection.
He finished his playing career with 3,965 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns, remaining among the Steelers' leading rushers in franchise history.
Built a remarkable coaching legacy
Following his retirement as a player, Hoak joined the Steelers' coaching staff in 1972 under head coach Chuck Noll, taking responsibility for the team's running backs.
He remained in the position for 35 years, working under both Noll and his successor, Bill Cowher, before retiring after the 2006 season.
During that remarkable spell, Hoak helped develop and coach several legendary Pittsburgh running backs, including Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker.
He was part of five Super Bowl-winning Steelers teams, collecting championship rings from Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV and XL.
His contribution extended across two successful eras of the franchise, making him one of the most influential assistant coaches in Pittsburgh's history.
Steelers president pays tribute
Rooney II described Hoak as a legendary figure whose commitment and loyalty helped shape the organisation.
He praised the former coach for his toughness, dedication and influence on generations of players, while expressing condolences to his family.
Hoak was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor as part of its inaugural class in 2017. He also received the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Award of Excellence in 2025 in recognition of his contribution to the sport behind the scenes.
His death marks the loss of a significant figure in Steelers history, remembered not only for his achievements on the field but also for decades of service to one of the NFL's most successful organisations.