Hu Zhigang was born in Shanghai, he began his football career in 1959, the year Hu Zhigang joined Shanghai Youth Football team.
in the same year, Hu Zhigang was called up to China national football team.
Hu Zhigang played for China in the 1976 AFC Asian Cup.
After retiring as a player, Hu Zhigang worked as assistant coach of China national football team from 1978 to 1990.
In 2004, Hu Zhigang worked as coach of Xi'an Anxinyuan, but after they faced two loss and one draw after 2004 China League One began, Hu Zhigang resigned.