Former running backs coach Dick Hoak, who also played for the Steelers, will be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 'Awards of Excellence.'

Hoak was an inaugural member of the Steelers Hall of Honor as a member of the Class of 2017. Hoak retired in 2006 after spending 45 seasons with the Steelers as a player and an assistant coach.

Hoak played running back for the Steelers for 10 seasons, then joined Coach Chuck Noll's staff in 1972 as the running backs coach. He remained in that role until he retired in 2006.

"I beat the system," said Hoak when he retired. "Coaches are hired to be fired. I
was hired, but I was never fired."

Hoak, who is from Jeannette, Pa., played quarterback and tailback at Penn State and was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft. In 10 seasons he rushed for 3,965 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Hoak coached two Hall of Famers in running backs Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis, who are one-two respectively as the Steelers all-time leading rushers, a list Hoak is eighth on himself.

This is the fourth year for the Awards of Excellence, which started in 2022 to honor those in five categories who contribute to the success of the team. They include assistant coaches, athletic trainers, film/video directors, equipment managers and public relations personnel. Former Steelers public relations director Joe Gordon and equipment manager Tony Parisi were part of the initial group honored with the "Awards of Excellence" in 2022, while former assistant coach Tom Moore was part of the 2023 group. Former video director Bob McCartney and assistant coach Lionel Taylor were part of the 2024 class.

The names of the winners of the "Awards of Excellence" will be placed on display inside a designated area of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum in Canton. Award recipients will be invited to the 2025 Enshrinement Week and will be recognized in Canton this August.The five groups presenting the Awards of Excellence created their own selection committees and set their own criteria for choosing new members. The Hall of Fame does not participate in any nominating or voting.