He was often credited with maintaining the morale of Western Pennsylvania, despite the region's steep economic decline in the late 20th century, by creating a team of champions in the image of its blue-collar fan base.

He began working in seventh grade and by the time he entered high school, he had saved enough for two-year's worth of the $150 tuition.

[3] Noll played running back and tackle on the high school football team, winning All-State honors.

[7] Noll planned to attend Notre Dame, but during a practice before his freshman year he suffered an epileptic seizure on the field.

Although the undersized Noll was drafted as a linebacker,[9] Coach Paul Brown used him as one of his "messenger guards" to send play calls to the quarterback, beginning with Otto Graham.

"[10] Noll was paid only $5,000 per season with the Browns and so while there he acted as substitute teacher at Holy Name High School[11] and sold insurance on the side.

"[12] When Noll lost the starting guard position to John Wooten, he chose to retire at age 27 expecting to begin his coaching career at his alma mater.

[14] Gillman said that Noll "had a great way with players," specifically "If a guy didn't do the job expected, Chuck could climb on his back.

Together with assistant coach Bill Arnsparger the Colts employed shifting alignments of rotating zone and maximum blitz defensive packages.

[21] Steelers owner Art Rooney would later credit Don Shula as the person who recommended Noll as a head coach.

[24] This record allowed for the Steelers to hold the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft which the team used to select Louisiana Tech quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

His defensive philosophy relied on controlling the line of scrimmage, stopping the run, and pressuring the quarterback, notably often done through blitzing with players such as linebackers Joe Greene and Jack Ham.

[33] The team went on to record their first post season victory against the Oakland Raiders 13–7, which included one of the most famous plays in NFL history, The Immaculate Reception.

[35] Continuing to build on the team's success in 1973, the Steelers won 10 of their 14 games and clinched a second consecutive playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.

The season culminated in a Super Bowl IX victory over the Minnesota Vikings, giving the Steelers their first ever championship appearance and win.

The teams that won Super Bowls IX and X used a run-oriented offense, primarily featuring Franco Harris and blocking back Rocky Bleier.

Over the next few years, Terry Bradshaw matured into an outstanding passer, and the teams that won Super Bowls XIII and XIV fully utilized the receiving tandem of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.

[40] Marino went on to become a Hall of Fame quarterback who broke numerous passing records with the Miami Dolphins and won honors such as league MVP and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award while being named to the Pro Bowl nine times.

After Bradshaw unexpectedly retired at the conclusion of the 1983 season, Noll chose 1980’s first round pick Mark Malone to be his successor.

Noll led the team on a playoff run that concluded with an AFC Championship loss to the Miami Dolphins who, ironically, had Marino as their starting quarterback.

In 1988, Noll led the team to the worst record they had experienced since 1969 when they won just five out of their 16 regular season games, making them fall to fourth place in the AFC Central.

Noll was recognized as NFL Coach of the Year, when he guided the Steelers into the second round of the playoffs, which they lost to the Denver Broncos with a final score of 24–23.

Noll held the ceremonial title of administration adviser in the Pittsburgh Steelers' front office but had no real role in the team's operations after his retirement.

[49] Noll died of natural causes in his Sewickley, Pennsylvania, condominium on June 13, 2014, after suffering for several years from Alzheimer's disease, a heart condition, and back problems.

The Steelers have held their summer camp at St. Vincent College, as it was Noll's idea to take the team away from the distractions in the city to prepare for the season each year, since 1975.

His biography, written by sports author Michael MacCambridge, Chuck Noll: His Life's Work was published on October 28, 2016.

[66] Men of Steel by Jim Wexwell was published in 2006, which heavily focuses on the Steelers' early success through the 1970's and 1980's, highlighting Noll's tenure with the team.