Peggy Jean Brown, the longtime wife of former North Carolina State University football coach Chuck Amato, has drawn public attention following the news of her husband’s death at the age of 80.
Amato, who led the NC State Wolfpack football program from 2000 to 2006 and spent years coaching at Florida State University, died at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 19, 2026, while receiving hospice care. His death was announced by NC State Athletics, prompting tributes from former players, colleagues and members of the wider college football community.
Behind his long coaching career was a family life that Amato largely kept private. He and Peggy, a Raleigh native, built a life together over several decades and raised twin daughters, LuGina and Selena.
As tributes continue to recognize Amato’s contributions to college football, interest has also turned toward his wife, their children and the family relationships that remained important to him throughout his career.
Who Is Peggy Jean Brown?
Peggy Jean Brown, also known as Peggy Amato after her marriage, is the wife of the late Chuck Amato. She is a Raleigh native who supported her husband through his decades in college football.
Although her husband was a recognizable figure on the sidelines, Peggy generally maintained a private life away from the spotlight. Publicly available biographical information about her occupation, education and personal interests remains limited.
The couple’s marriage dates back to the 1970s. By the time Chuck was appointed head coach at NC State in 2000, they had already spent approximately 25 years together.
Their long marriage extended through his coaching assignments at NC State, Florida State and the University of Akron. It also continued into retirement, when Amato returned to Raleigh and remained connected to the university and the people he had coached.
Chuck Amato and Peggy’s Long Marriage
Chuck Amato’s coaching career required years of demanding schedules, recruiting trips, training sessions and time away from home. Throughout those years, his family remained an important part of his life.
When NC State appointed Amato as its head football coach in January 2000, he returned to a university where he had previously played football and wrestled and had worked as an assistant coach.
Peggy was part of the family’s connection to Raleigh. During his introduction as head coach, Amato famously referred to his wife’s advice while speaking about how long he had waited for the opportunity to lead his alma mater.
Their marriage continued through the highs and disappointments of his coaching career, including NC State’s successful 2002 season, his departure from the program in 2006 and his later work at Florida State and Akron.
In 2018, Amato retired from coaching after approximately 45 years in the profession. He returned to Raleigh, where he remained involved with friends and members of the NC State community.
Meet Chuck and Peggy Amato’s Twin Daughters
Chuck and Peggy Amato had twin daughters, LuGina and Selena.
Their father was known for developing close relationships with his players, many of whom regarded him as a mentor and father figure. Nevertheless, he also maintained a family life outside football, and his daughters were an important part of that life.
Public information about LuGina and Selena is limited, as the family has generally kept its private affairs away from extensive media coverage.
In the years before his retirement, Amato spoke about the importance of putting family first. He also mentioned that his twin grandsons were living in his home in 2018.
Further personal details about his daughters and grandchildren have not been included here because they have not been sufficiently documented in the sources reviewed.
Chuck Amato’s Life Beyond Football
Charles Michael Amato was born on June 26, 1946, in Easton, Pennsylvania. Before becoming a coach, he played linebacker for NC State and competed in wrestling, winning Atlantic Coast Conference championships in the sport.
He later built a coaching career that included assistant positions at NC State and Florida State. At Florida State, he worked under legendary coach Bobby Bowden during a period when the Seminoles won national championships following the 1993 and 1999 seasons.
In 2000, Amato returned to NC State as head coach. His seven seasons in charge included an 11-win campaign in 2002, which remains one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.
Amato also became known for his distinctive personality, energetic sideline presence and close relationships with players. His influence extended beyond game results, with former players describing him as a mentor who encouraged confidence, discipline and resilience.
After leaving NC State, he returned to Florida State before joining the coaching staff at Akron. He retired in February 2018.
His Health Struggles and Final Years
Amato was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsil in December 2009 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He initially recovered, but the illness later returned.
According to NC State’s official tribute, his health deteriorated in his later years, and he eventually lost his voice because of throat cancer. He spent his final period under hospice care at his home in Raleigh.
Despite becoming less visible publicly, Amato maintained relationships with former players and friends. NC State reported that he continued visiting people near campus for coffee and lunch in the years following his retirement.
He died on October 19, 2026, at age 80.
At the time of the university’s announcement, funeral arrangements had not been finalized. Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and Crematory was listed as serving the family, with a service to honor his life expected at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh on a date to be announced.
The Family Chuck Amato Leaves Behind
Chuck Amato’s legacy includes his coaching achievements, his lasting relationship with NC State and the people he influenced throughout his career. His family was another central part of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy, and their twin daughters, LuGina and Selena. His family also includes grandchildren whose names have not been widely publicized.
While many public tributes focus on his success in college football, Amato’s story also reflects the relationships he built away from the field. His long marriage, his daughters and his connection to Raleigh formed part of the life he returned to after retiring from coaching.
As the NC State community remembers the former coach, Peggy and their daughters are among those closest to him who are mourning his death.
Key Facts About Chuck Amato and His Family
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Charles Michael Amato |
| Known as | Chuck Amato |
| Date of birth | June 26, 1946 |
| Date of death | October 19, 2026 |
| Age at death | 80 |
| Wife | Peggy Jean Amato, née Brown |
| Marriage | Married in the 1970s |
| Children | Twin daughters, LuGina and Selena |
| Grandchildren | Twin grandsons were mentioned publicly in 2018 |
| Hometown of his wife | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Profession | College football coach and former player |
| Notable position | NC State head football coach, 2000–2006 |
| Other coaching stops | Florida State and the University of Akron |
| Reported health condition | Throat cancer |
| Final residence | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Funeral arrangements | A service at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral was announced as planned, with the date and time to be determined |
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available biographical information, the NC State Athletics tribute and the funeral home’s obituary notice available as of October 20, 2026. Personal details not confirmed by reliable sources have been omitted.