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Emotional Amato Braces For Wolfpack

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - At some point Saturday, Chuck Amato anticipates shedding a tear or two. If he's wearing his trademark Dolce & Gabbana wraparound shades, maybe the tears won't be as visible as the ones he shed six years ago.

But they'll have similar meaning.

In his second season as N.C. State's head coach in 2001 - and his first game at Doak Campbell Stadium after leaving Florida State - Amato's Wolfpack became the first Atlantic Coast Conference team to win in Tallahassee following FSU's entry into the conference in 1992.

'Do you know how hard it was to cross that field?' Amato said.

As he shook hands with FSU coach Bobby Bowden, the man he worked under for 18 years before going to N.C. State, Amato couldn't contain his emotions.

'Chuck is an emotional guy,' Bowden said. 'That's what I like about him. He is a passionate person who is concerned about you, if you're uncomfortable, like he would be his own family.'

Back at FSU after seven roller-coaster seasons as head coach at N.C. State, Amato is bracing for a dramatic Saturday afternoon when the Wolfpack visit FSU, marking the first time he has seen many of his former players since getting fired the day after N.C. State capped a 3-9 season a year ago with a 21-16 loss to East Carolina.

'I love those kids up at North Carolina State - those football players - like you can't imagine,' said Amato, 61. 'It's like having twins - and I have twins daughters - and they have to go out and play a tennis match against one another. Who do you root for?'

Amato said his biggest regret is not getting to say goodbye to his former players after he was fired.

'Because I didn't want anybody thinking I was tampering with people I shouldn't have been,' he said.

Amato's time at N.C. State featured all kinds of highs and lows. He led the Wolfpack to a 49-37 record and five bowl trips, including a convincing win against Notre Dame in the 2002 Gator Bowl that capped an 11-2 season, the most wins in school history. However, near the end of his tenure, Amato came under fire from boosters and fans.

The tension grew greatest last season when the Wolfpack lost their final seven games, with Amato's final victory a 24-20 home win over the Noles. By the time he was fired, fans were jamming the popular Web site FireChuckAmato.com, and Amato's every move was under scrutiny, from wearing his famous red shoes to his play-calling.

Amato refused to go into specifics about the way his time ended at his alma mater, but he remains confident his legacy will be one of success. While at N.C. State, the school upgraded its facilities and had only two losing seasons.

'I know,' Amato said. 'And 98 percent of the people up there know.'

Bowden said that whatever animosity Amato may have toward N.C. State's administration, he has kept it to himself since coming back to FSU.

'He hasn't badmouthed anybody,' Bowden said.

Since returning to FSU as executive head coach/linebackers coach, Amato has made his presence felt the way he once did in Tallahassee, serving as the staff's most flamboyant and colorful character with his designer sunglasses and unique voice. However, he hasn't found a replacement for the gold couch and gold chair he had in his office during his first stint at FSU.

'He's still got a little head coach in him,' longtime FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. 'It's hard to be a head coach for seven years and get it all out, but I think that's in a positive way.'

Amato isn't ruling out becoming a head coach if the right opportunity comes along. But for now, he seems intent on helping rebuild the Noles into the national power they were when he left.

'It would have to be a real good situation because I love being here,' Amato said. 'I've let it be known. That's why I was here for 18 years. I had opportunities ... but it's a special place and it's run by a special man.'

He's got the tears to prove it.

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at 850.294.3088 or

scarter@tampatrib.com.

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