Legendary coach Chuck Noll on this week's SI cover
Chuck Noll celebrates after the Steelers' Super Bowl IX victory over the Vikings. (James Drake/Sports Illustrated)
Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll graces one of three covers for this week's Sports Illustrated, celebrated not only for leading his Pittsburgh Steelers teams to four Super Bowl victories, but also for his quiet but effective leadership style.
Noll died last Saturday of natural causes at the age of 82. He went 209-156-1 record in 23 seasons in Pittsburgh, taking a 1-13 team in his first season in 1969 to a Super Bowl title just six years later. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, his first year of eligibility.
Check out the Sports Illustrated print edition this week (subscribe here) for SI.com senior writer Tim Layden's piece on how Noll built the Pittsburgh dynasty.
SI VAULT: The Steelers’ Chuck Noll – Teacher, Scientist, Innovator, Coach
Former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier penned a tribute to Noll, saying in part, "Chuck loved teaching moments, but he wasn’t an orator or a motivator. Chuck would say, 'It’s not my job to hold your hand. It’s my job to take motivated people and show them how to become better.' ”
