Amato returns to FSU to join Bowden's coaching staff

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former North Carolina State coach Chuck Amato is returning to Florida State as part of Bobby Bowden's major overhaul of his staff.

Amato, who was fired by North Carolina State in November, spent 18 seasons with Bowden through the program's peak years in the 1980s and '90s. The 60-year-old Amato succeeds Kevin Steele as executive head coach and linebackers coach. Steele left to become Alabama's defensive coordinator.

"Chuck will fill the last void we had in our staff and allow us not to miss a beat," Bowden said Wednesday in a release from the school.

A former player at North Carolina State, Amato was fired a day after he completed his seventh season with the Wolfpack. He had a 49-37 record at N.C. State and led the team to five bowl games, but his squads were 25-31 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and never finished higher than fourth.

Chuck Amato worked with Bobby Bowden for 18 seasons before taking the N.C. State job. (Getty Images)

"I'm excited about being back on board at Florida State," said Amato, who is not expected to sign his contract with Florida State until next week. "I know everybody there and we are so familiar with everything so I'm just very excited about that."

Following a 7-6 season, Bowden replaced everyone on his offensive staff except for tight ends coach John Lilly, the team's recruiting coordinator.

The staff changes began when Bowden's youngest son, Jeff Bowden, resigned under pressure in mid-November as the team's offensive coordinator.

Jimbo Fisher was hired last week as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach while former Seminoles stars Lawrence Dawsey and Dexter Carter were picked to coach receivers and running backs and veteran Rick Trickett came from West Virginia to handle the offensive line.