Dick Hoak
Dick Hoak
Richard John Hoakis an American former football player and coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college for Penn State, and was selected by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft. He was a running back for the Steelers from 1961 to 1970, and then became the longest tenured coach in the team's history, from 1972 to 2007...
anyone coached
I don't know if I ever coached anyone with Willie's speed.
anywhere came football games near nobody playing popular pro saw television three watched
Pro football wasn't as popular as it is now. When I came out of college, I had no idea of playing pro football. I think I saw two or three pro football games on television when I was in college. Nobody watched it, it wasn't on TV. It wasn't anywhere near what it is today.
ask date people time
People ask if I've set a date or a time when I want to retire, but I've never said, 'OK, at 67 I'll retire.' I'm just going to look at it year-to-year.
car drove gave money saved single
You even drove your own car down if you wanted to. I drove down. I was single and I had a car down there. I drove back and saved the money they gave you for the flight.
call
That would be great, but I wouldn't call it one for the thumb. It's one for these guys.
ball blocking carrying either happen later marked ready running sooner stay
But Duce has to stay ready because, before the year's over, we're going to need Duce. Something's going to happen because that's a high-risk position, running back. You're either blocking or you're carrying the ball and you're a marked guy. Sooner or later we're going to need Duce.
coaches days eat happened hoping kitchen listen lunch remember stories
I would go down by the kitchen to eat lunch with the other coaches every day hoping he'd be there, just to listen to some of the stories he would tell about the old days and what happened way back when. I'll always remember that.
art care close dad dan people players work
Dan is a lot like his dad was, and now Art II is a lot like his dad, Dan. They're close to the players, and they care about the players and the people who work for them.
exhibition fans pittsburgh viewed
It wasn't viewed as anything special, it was viewed as an exhibition game. I don't know if any Pittsburgh fans went down to the game.
care carry durable happen maybe per played problem size staying
He's durable enough to carry 25-26-27 times per game. The problem is staying healthy, and I think a lot of that is luck. I don't care who you are, you have to have some luck. Look at Curtis Martin. He's about the same size as Willie, and he has played for years and years. He just doesn't get hurt. Maybe the same thing will happen for Willie.
guys strong
He's big and he's strong and he can take that pounding. A lot of guys wouldn't be able to do that.
certain good knowing leave
He doesn't leave anything to chance. I think he's a good game-day coach, knowing when to do certain things in a game. He's very good on the sidelines.
coaching excellent experience good himself hired people staff surrounded
His first coaching staff was an excellent staff. The people he has hired have had experience in the league. He has surrounded himself with some good coaches.
chance filters front george good messed offices tough
George would say every year, 'Well, we know 18 (NFL teams) don't have a chance,' and that's because their front offices were so messed up. When you have good ownership, it filters all the way down. But if all that up there is bad, you don't have a chance in this league. This thing is tough enough even when you have good leadership.