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Chuck Noll: His Life's Work
Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls and presided over one of the greatest football dynasties in history, the Pittsburgh Steelers of the ‘70s. Later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his achievements as a competitor and a coach are the stuff of legend. But Noll always remained an intensely private and introspective man, never revealing much of himself as a person or as a coach, not even to the players and fans who revered him. Chuck Noll did not need a dramatic public profile to be the catalyst for one of the greatest transformations in sports history. In the nearly four decades before he was hired, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the least successful team in professional football, never winning so much as a division title. After Noll’s arrival, his quiet but steely leadership quickly remolded the team into the most accomplished in the history of professional football. And what he built endured well beyond his time with the Steelers – who have remained one of America’s great NFL teams, accumulating a total of six Super Bowls, eight AFC championships, and dozens of division titles and playoff berths. In this penetrating biography, based on deep research and hundreds of interviews, Michael MacCambridge takes the measure of the man, painting an intimate portrait of one of the most important figures in American football history. He traces Noll’s journey from a Depression-era childhood in Cleveland, where he first played the game in a fully integrated neighborhood league led by an African-American coach and then seriously pursued the sport through high school and college. Eventually, Noll played both defensive and offensive positions professionally for the Browns, before discovering that his true calling was coaching. MacCambridge reveals that Noll secretly struggled with and overcame epilepsy to build the career that earned him his place as “the Emperor” of Pittsburgh during the Steelers’ dynastic run in the 1970s, while in his final years, he battled Alzheimer’s in the shelter of his caring and protective family. Noll’s impact went well beyond one football team. When he arrived, the city of steel was facing a deep crisis, as the dramatic decline of Pittsburgh’s lifeblood industry traumatized an entire generation. “Losing,” Noll said on his first day on the job, “has nothing to do with geography.” Through his calm, confident leadership of the Steelers and the success they achieved, the people of Pittsburgh came to believe that winning was possible, and their recovery of confidence owed a lot to the Steeler’s new coach. The famous urban renaissance that followed can only be understood by grasping what Noll and his team meant to the people of the city. The man Pittsburghers could never fully know helped them see themselves better. Chuck His Life’s Work tells the story of a private man in a very public job. It explores the family ties that built his character, the challenges that defined his course, and the love story that shaped his life. By understanding the man himself, we can at last clearly see Noll’s profound influence on the city, players, coaches, and game he loved. They are all, in a real sense, heirs to the football team Chuck Noll built.
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 5, 2017
This was a good book about the legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I grew up being a Steelers fan since my football awareness began around the time they were were winning their 3rd and 4th Super Bowl and were the best team in the game. He was obviously so much more than a great coach. Coach Noll was lucky to find happiness in so many places and touch so many lives with his understated ways. Football was only one part of this complex man on his way to finding his life's work.
January 5, 2018
Excellent read!
I've been a Steelers fan since I was 12. I am now 55 and still a Steelers fan. This book was extremely insightful in terms of the behind the scenes of my beloved team. As I read the book my mind went back to those 70's Steelers as if I were watching a video. This book brought back some wonderful memories.
I've been a Steelers fan since I was 12. I am now 55 and still a Steelers fan. This book was extremely insightful in terms of the behind the scenes of my beloved team. As I read the book my mind went back to those 70's Steelers as if I were watching a video. This book brought back some wonderful memories.
March 4, 2017
Great read that goes through the history of the Steelers and Chuck Noll's life. Must read for anyone that grew up in Pittsburgh.
October 7, 2023
I read at about a 50:1 fiction to nonfiction ratio so this may be the last true work for awhile but man what a book. Chuck Noll was larger than life, a family man, too smart for his own good and lived through his values.
The big takeaways are Joe Greene was a monster and respected amongst everyone. The game of football in the 70s and 80s was so low scoring and a half dozen turnovers a game was the norm. Just crazy how it’s grown since then.
Bradshaw was and mostly still is regarded as a whiny bitch who never really appreciated what he had and what Coach did for him.
While it’s amazing to see the growth of the decade that won 4 super bowls it’s crazy how that the same methodology and mentality still exists today for better or for worse.
What an unbelievable human and an absolute roller coaster of a life’s work.
The big takeaways are Joe Greene was a monster and respected amongst everyone. The game of football in the 70s and 80s was so low scoring and a half dozen turnovers a game was the norm. Just crazy how it’s grown since then.
Bradshaw was and mostly still is regarded as a whiny bitch who never really appreciated what he had and what Coach did for him.
While it’s amazing to see the growth of the decade that won 4 super bowls it’s crazy how that the same methodology and mentality still exists today for better or for worse.
What an unbelievable human and an absolute roller coaster of a life’s work.
April 13, 2017
The great dynasty leader exposed!
A great read on leadership and the impact it can have on a team and ultimately a whole city. Chuck Noll wasn't well understood during the glory years of the 70s, but all of this is exposed in the book. From the upbringing that defined Chuck to the pressure he felt as the greatest team of the early NFL started to age, to ultimately his "life's work," this book unravels Chuck Noll as a man, a father, a husband, and then as the preeminent coach and leader. A book well worth the journey.
A great read on leadership and the impact it can have on a team and ultimately a whole city. Chuck Noll wasn't well understood during the glory years of the 70s, but all of this is exposed in the book. From the upbringing that defined Chuck to the pressure he felt as the greatest team of the early NFL started to age, to ultimately his "life's work," this book unravels Chuck Noll as a man, a father, a husband, and then as the preeminent coach and leader. A book well worth the journey.
March 24, 2017
Outstanding - great insight into a man nobody really knew.
June 28, 2018
As a lifelong Steeler's fan, I expected to enjoy reading this book, but it exceeded my expectations.
The book provided much insight to the coach, husband, father, and uncle. It clearly depicted the dichotomy between football and non-football time. He drew clear distinctions between the two and thrived in both areas of life.
The depiction of the relationship he had, and didn't have, with his players was fascinating to read about. He was not a players' coach, but a coach for the players as a team.
The end of the 'story'/Chuck's life was sad to read about. The decisions made reflected ones I knew from those we made regarding my father, from Pittsburgh who spent over 30 years coaching himself. While their diagnosis was different the impact on them was very similar as was the desire of those who were impacted by them to say thank you.
Anyone who coaches would benefit from reading this book, not that everything Chuck did was right, but from the perspective that all of it can be learned from in how one could coach a team and be a good person.
The book provided much insight to the coach, husband, father, and uncle. It clearly depicted the dichotomy between football and non-football time. He drew clear distinctions between the two and thrived in both areas of life.
The depiction of the relationship he had, and didn't have, with his players was fascinating to read about. He was not a players' coach, but a coach for the players as a team.
The end of the 'story'/Chuck's life was sad to read about. The decisions made reflected ones I knew from those we made regarding my father, from Pittsburgh who spent over 30 years coaching himself. While their diagnosis was different the impact on them was very similar as was the desire of those who were impacted by them to say thank you.
Anyone who coaches would benefit from reading this book, not that everything Chuck did was right, but from the perspective that all of it can be learned from in how one could coach a team and be a good person.
November 18, 2016
Great book for hard-core Steelers fans. Even having been born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, I still learned a lot about Noll that I never knew. Very informative.
January 30, 2017
Any NFL fan, but especially a Steeler fan will love this book. Give it a shot
January 4, 2018
Excellent biography of a man who was very private and little understood because he valued that privacy. Truly a great coach and better teacher, Noll took the perennial downtrodden Pittsburgh Steelers and made them into a powerhouse that still survives today via only the third coach in decades in Mike Tomlin. Tomlin may in fact be considered a disciple as his lineage can be traced through the Noll mentored Tony Dungy.
MacCambridge provides a lot of insights from associates and team members, some that is known (Terry Bradshaw hates Chuck Noll) and some that is not (Jack Lambert seems to disregard Noll). Bradshaw's bitter comments apparently come from books and other sources rather than from the ex QB himself and that is a minor flaw. It would have been good for the author to confront Bradshaw on his dislike for a coach that he probably needed to succeed in the first place - one who truly saw his role as a teacher and not a friend. Teaching implies discipline and that is something that Bradshaw apparently did not like, hoping instead to be coddled and praised. Of course, Bradshaw may have declined to be interviewed for the book and that is never clear.
Noll's relationship with his wife Marianne is especially telling and heartfelt. The author portrays that relationship and love clearly and forcefully as well as the limited friendships Noll seemed to allow. For example, he and Marianne had a close relationship with Duquesne University basketball coach Red Manning and his wife Pat and details here may have brought out even more about Chuck Noll.
Still, it is a solid biography and, for long time fans especially, an easy read, full of insights and background that make a private man very much alive in the reader's mind. Highly recommended.
MacCambridge provides a lot of insights from associates and team members, some that is known (Terry Bradshaw hates Chuck Noll) and some that is not (Jack Lambert seems to disregard Noll). Bradshaw's bitter comments apparently come from books and other sources rather than from the ex QB himself and that is a minor flaw. It would have been good for the author to confront Bradshaw on his dislike for a coach that he probably needed to succeed in the first place - one who truly saw his role as a teacher and not a friend. Teaching implies discipline and that is something that Bradshaw apparently did not like, hoping instead to be coddled and praised. Of course, Bradshaw may have declined to be interviewed for the book and that is never clear.
Noll's relationship with his wife Marianne is especially telling and heartfelt. The author portrays that relationship and love clearly and forcefully as well as the limited friendships Noll seemed to allow. For example, he and Marianne had a close relationship with Duquesne University basketball coach Red Manning and his wife Pat and details here may have brought out even more about Chuck Noll.
Still, it is a solid biography and, for long time fans especially, an easy read, full of insights and background that make a private man very much alive in the reader's mind. Highly recommended.
December 10, 2023
“ Greater than a thousand hours of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”
- Japanese Proverb.
When asked by a writer how he would like to be remembered Chuck Noll replied: “ put down that I was a teacher.”
“ You’re not funny Vogel. You’re German.”
- Indiana Jones
The Dial of Destiny.
From his upbringing in the thirties in Cleveland by parents of German heritage Chuck Noll learned to keep a tight rein on any emotion or expression of affection. Many times to his detriment. This quality however may have contributed to his success as a championship football coach. His story is laid out here in a comprehensive but superficial manner. We never get very far under his surface. It might have taken a team of therapists to plumb the depths of his relationships with his players and coaches. He was a magnificent teacher of fundamentals who abhorred mental mistakes. Many of his players tolerated the distance he kept with them and some did not. Their stories are here as well. Many appreciated him in retirement.
The history of his time in Pittsburgh is well chronicled.. He and his wife supported his nieces and nephews all their lives. The Noll family kept their social circle very small but cast a wide net over their extended family.
If you lived in Pittsburgh during this era you will love the many stories you have likely never heard. Godspeed Chuck Noll. You were great.
- Japanese Proverb.
When asked by a writer how he would like to be remembered Chuck Noll replied: “ put down that I was a teacher.”
“ You’re not funny Vogel. You’re German.”
- Indiana Jones
The Dial of Destiny.
From his upbringing in the thirties in Cleveland by parents of German heritage Chuck Noll learned to keep a tight rein on any emotion or expression of affection. Many times to his detriment. This quality however may have contributed to his success as a championship football coach. His story is laid out here in a comprehensive but superficial manner. We never get very far under his surface. It might have taken a team of therapists to plumb the depths of his relationships with his players and coaches. He was a magnificent teacher of fundamentals who abhorred mental mistakes. Many of his players tolerated the distance he kept with them and some did not. Their stories are here as well. Many appreciated him in retirement.
The history of his time in Pittsburgh is well chronicled.. He and his wife supported his nieces and nephews all their lives. The Noll family kept their social circle very small but cast a wide net over their extended family.
If you lived in Pittsburgh during this era you will love the many stories you have likely never heard. Godspeed Chuck Noll. You were great.
January 1, 2018
Michael MacCambridge can write about the preparations of NFL drafts and make it high drama. He's that good. In his biography of Pittsburgh Steeler coach legend Chuck Noll, MacCambridge highlights the drafts and Noll's involvements in building the great Steelers' teams of the mid and late 1970s. Did you know Noll almost passed on choosing Franco Harris in a draft? And that the Steelers debated about picking Dan Marino but did not, fearing the selection would upset fragile-minded Terry Bradshaw.
This is an excellent review of Noll's life and career and MacCambridge handles it excellently. From his days at Dayton after being turned down at Notre Dame because of his epilepsy, to his playing days at Cleveland (did head injuries there ultimately lead to Noll's Alzheimer's?), to coaching with Don Shula at Baltimore to his days at Pittsburgh.
There are other books on coaches I've read: Marv Levy and Bill Parcells wrote autiobiographies and Skip Bayless tore up Tom Landry's career. MacCambridge, without a doubt, is the best bio on a coach I've ever read.
This is an excellent review of Noll's life and career and MacCambridge handles it excellently. From his days at Dayton after being turned down at Notre Dame because of his epilepsy, to his playing days at Cleveland (did head injuries there ultimately lead to Noll's Alzheimer's?), to coaching with Don Shula at Baltimore to his days at Pittsburgh.
There are other books on coaches I've read: Marv Levy and Bill Parcells wrote autiobiographies and Skip Bayless tore up Tom Landry's career. MacCambridge, without a doubt, is the best bio on a coach I've ever read.
September 2, 2024
While he never wrote a book to tell his story this one will help you understand why while telling the story of the man that shaped Pittsburgh football and set a new standard.
It is not always a pretty or easy story to read. Reminders of the lean years and the failures as well as the glory of Super Bowl Champions.
Noll was first and foremost a teacher and a leader. As a leader he took responsibility for those he led and praised their success as their work.
I found this an emotional rollercoaster as I remember those years well but there was of much of the story I didn't know. Well worth the read.
It is not always a pretty or easy story to read. Reminders of the lean years and the failures as well as the glory of Super Bowl Champions.
Noll was first and foremost a teacher and a leader. As a leader he took responsibility for those he led and praised their success as their work.
I found this an emotional rollercoaster as I remember those years well but there was of much of the story I didn't know. Well worth the read.
September 6, 2024
Great book about not just a great football coach, but a great man. Brought back a lot of memories from when I first lived in the Pittsburgh area, 1972-75.
It was interesting to read about how so many of his Hall of Fame players truly loved and respected him; and appreciated the fact that he not only made them better players, but better men as well…and his one HoF player who, sadly, shares none of those feelings with his teammates.
Well researched & documented. Highly recommended to not just Steelers’ fans, but to any and all sports fans.
It was interesting to read about how so many of his Hall of Fame players truly loved and respected him; and appreciated the fact that he not only made them better players, but better men as well…and his one HoF player who, sadly, shares none of those feelings with his teammates.
Well researched & documented. Highly recommended to not just Steelers’ fans, but to any and all sports fans.
July 13, 2025
5/5. Probably the best biography I've ever read - completely thorough and doesn't over glamorize Chuck Noll. It does a good job of giving the reader the realization that he was an extraordinary man, but not one without his flaws. He's somehow one of the most important people in the history of football, winning 2 championships as a player and winning 4 Super Bowls as a coach, and yet one that isn't brought up often when talking about all-time greats. And yet, it feels as if he would like it to be that way. This is the most impressed I've been with a book in a while.
April 4, 2018
A very thorough biography of one of the most prominent figures of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty. MacCambridge starts at the very beginning with details of Noll's early childhood in Cleveland, tracking down every source he can find (Terry Bradshaw still refuses to talk about Noll). Surprisingly, the book seemed to fly through the 1970s when Noll made his mark. It is definitely a book about who Noll was as a person rather than how he coached the biggest games and won the four Super Bowls. Even after 400 pages, Noll remains an enigmatic figure. He was emotionally distant from and mysterious to almost all of his players, and the secret of his success remains somewhat elusive, too.
December 31, 2018
MacCambridge is the best football writer around in my opinion. America's Game was great, but this book was fantastic. Amazing read whether you're a Steeler fan or not. As a member of Steeler Nation I can say while a lot of the stories I heard before (confirmed them at least) there were many new stories to the mix.
January 4, 2019
While I’m a huge Steelers fan, which probably changes my interest level in this book tremendously, I thought it was a very compelling work about a man of mystery and so much depth beyond football. So many other coaches are ranked way ahead of him and rarely is he mentioned as one of the best, but he went 4-0 in Super Bowls, something no one else has ever done!
February 18, 2020
Learned a lot I didn't know about The Emperor
Easy read but still quite informative even for someone who lived through the Emperor Chaz years. Got a much better understanding of Noll the man and what went in to building a dynasty. A must read for Steeler faithful or anyone interested in the inner workings of a man and a successful organization.
Easy read but still quite informative even for someone who lived through the Emperor Chaz years. Got a much better understanding of Noll the man and what went in to building a dynasty. A must read for Steeler faithful or anyone interested in the inner workings of a man and a successful organization.
June 5, 2021
I found it interesting that about the first third of the book is before Noll's time in Pittsburgh; that is a perfect way to describe the man. What the public saw was only a part of who Chuck Noll was. He was more than just the Steelers head coach, and the accounts in this book show the depth and experiences he had that influenced his time as the NFL coach.
September 15, 2024
A well-researched life of the NFL’s taciturn renaissance man. The sections on Noll’s youth, success at Dayton and as a player with the Browns, stints as an assistant coach, and Alzheimer’s-fueled decline are especially good. Highly recommended, especially for people who liked Pitt professor Rob Ruck’s equally good Art Rooney bio (University of Pittsburgh Press published both).
November 28, 2017
As I finished MacCambridge’s latest NFL tome, it dawned on me that I had just read a deep, abiding love story disguised as a biography. Expertly crafted by MacCambridge, as devout football fans have come to expect.
August 19, 2018
This book was excellent. The thoroughness of the research was incredible. A great book for anyone who's a Steelers' fan. The life lessons contained in the book are even better than the football parts.
January 16, 2020
Incredible book on coach Noll history and way to see and live life. What’s magical about this book is that it shows how one origins shape but don’t define who you are.
Even if you’re not a football fan this book is a must read to all those interested in business, teaching and work-life balance.
Even if you’re not a football fan this book is a must read to all those interested in business, teaching and work-life balance.
July 5, 2021
I enjoyed this book so much. I may be a bit biased noting I was a Steeler fan since birth. I was also a Noll fan. They don’t have players and coaches anywhere anymore with the the heart of the old guys. Noll was a gentleman through and through.
October 13, 2025
A really solid profile of an under-appreciated coach about whom I’d really known nothing previously. Lots of great stories of the 70s dynasty. I definitely relate to the old school German familial stoicism.
November 26, 2025
Well researched book on a very private man. Sweet stories of his family and life outside football. Paints a vivid picture of the locker rooms and sidelines he ran. Lots of interesting insights into early 20th century football.
December 27, 2025
a very good well researched account of the life of The Great Chuck Noll. What an intense but so well rounded and intelligent man sad that a disease took his memories away. Thank you for creating the team I love.
December 1, 2016
Great insights into a great coach. I thought parts were very verbose but overall a good, easy read.
June 5, 2017
Being s life long Steelers fan, I knew very little about Chuck Noll. Now I have a good amount of history about him and our great Steelers. Makes me not like Bradshaw even more now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews