European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 15, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 32 b the stars and stripes r sports monday february 15,1993 Noll credits Success to Pau Brown by Mark wonders stuff writer Frankfurt Germany newly in ducted pro football Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll is finally getting a Chance to enjoy the game he gave so much to. I m learning How to be a fan Noll said at a press conference in Frankfurt last week promoting the nil world partnership coaches clinic currently tour ing Germany and the United kingdom through feb. 21. After 39 years of playing and coaching and four super bowl championships the Hall of Fame recently opened its doors to the Pittsburgh Steeles coaching legend. Despite his Success his induction was something Noll was t planning on when he retired from coaching in 1991. It was a very pleasing thing his elec Tio because you plan for super bowls and championships but you Don t plan for this said Noll who despite All his world championships and division titles was never selected National football league coach of the year. From 1969 through 1991, Noll led the Steeles to the playoffs 12 times including four super bowl crowns in a six year Span. He compiled a lifetime record of 209 156-1, a .572 winning percentage. His 209 victories places him fifth All time behind George Halas 325don Shula 318tom Landry 270 and curly Lambeau 229. In addition he is the Only pro football coach to capture four world championships. Former san Francisco 49cr head coach Bill Walsh has three. Upon his retirement Noll has travelled extensively participating in football clinics in Japan and now Europe. "1 Haven t had time to miss coaching we be been on the Road so much he said. Noll s departure from the Steeles has Given him More Opportunity to meet and serve the Pitt burghers who appreciated his Success at reviving the once struggling nil franchise. I be met More people in the City of Pittsburgh since my retirement than when i was Couch admitted Noll who in his spare time serves on the Board of directors for the greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind. Ironically nod s replacement Bill Cowher won the nil coach of the year award in his Rookie season taking the Steeles to the acc Central division title and Home Finkl advantage throughout the playoffs. The Steeles subsequently lost to Buffalo in the second round. He s done a Good Job Noll said graciously of his successor s fortunes. But there s one thing about football you Don t do anything by yourself. Everybody contributes to the Success of failure of a  Noll credits the late Paul Brown with his Success in  worked under Paul Brown with the Cleveland Browns and when you re around a Winner it rubs off Noll said while attending pro bowl festivities in Honolulu last weekend you have to have Good people be were fortunate enough to get some through the draft. You have to be Lucky there your scouts get the height weight and Speed but it s Tough to get the intangibles. You have to see How they go through the Tough times and they have to be Able to handle Success  Fortune smiled at Noll when he and his Steeles won a Coin toss with the c his a Ken George Chuck Noll new member of pro football Hall of Fame meets the press in Frankfurt. Noll Here with quarterback Terr Bradshaw 20 years ago won four super bowl titles. Eago bears for the first pick in the 1970 draft and selected Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw out of Louisiana tech. Before the draft a Loi of people wanted to give us players for that Choice Noll recalled. But we did t want someone else s  things really turned around for the Steeles in their now mystical 1974 draft considered by Many to be one of the greatest drafts for a team in nil history. In it the Steeles selected wide in Civ ers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth Middle linebacker Jack Lambert and Cen Ter Mike Webster. This crop of Talent combined with run Ning Back Franco Harris 72 draft line Backer Jack Ham defensive end Dwight White both in 71bradshaw and defensive tackle Joe Greene in 1969, among others became the nucleus to one of thereat dynasties in pro football history. Bradshaw Greene Harris and Lam Bert have made the Hall of Fame while Swann and Stallworth have been consid ered but have lacked enough votes for election. Webster will be eligible in 1996. We got a great number of people in that draft that came together said Noll. That draft gave us a group of players that were Quality  Noll is diplomatic when the inevitable comparisons arise Between his dominant Steeles of the 1970s versus the 49ers of the 80s and the Green Bay packers of the 60s. It s Tough to compare one Era with another Noll said. I be left it up to the experts who As Noll explained Are the ones who Haven t played the game. Every year there is a super bowl win Ner and a mythical Winner said Noll. So there s always debate Over who is the Best. We were very competitive if you put us up against the great teams of All  but As expected Noll is pretty High on his legendary group. I can say we were the Best Noll said laughing. The thing that helped the Steeles is that we had a group of players that matured All at once explained Noll who feels that the current super bowl Cham Pion Dallas cowboys have a Good shot at achieving similar Success. Dallas May be in that category said Noll pointing out that the cowboys Are the youngest team in the league. As far As free Agency Noll has no idea of the effect on the players and league. I Don t know. We re in unchartered Waters he said. I Don t like it though because it would change the focus. From being the Best team to being the Best paid team he added. Noll who played on the offensive and defensive line in the pros fiercely de fends the team concept. When asked what he Felt about Pittsburgh Star run Ning Back Barry Foster threat to hold out next season if he does t get a raise Noll was again diplomatic. Barry is an outstanding running Back said Noll. He runs great and picks Well. He compares with the Best of  but Noll added that it takes the line to Block for Foster and the defense to get him the Ball which plays a role in any Back s Success. Noll carries with him Many memories of the game which hold special meaning to him in addition to his championship seasons. When i was drafted by the Cleve land Browns. And played in my first game against the 49ers in san Francisco. That s when i found out i belonged. That i could play in the nil he said. Another memory that Noll cherishes is when he was named defensive line coach of the then los Angeles chargers and he found out he could achieve similar Suc Cess As a coach. Players that Noll recalls who made the Steeles the dynasty they became Are easy to list Bradshaw Greene Harris quickly come to mind. But Noll recalls the intangibles of former running Back John frenchy Fuqua who played with the Steeles from 1970-76. He was a very funny Guy. He could make the team laugh recalled Noll of the eccentric Back known for his Assort ment of wild costumes and his fishbowl heeled boots Complete with water and Gold fish. Noll has no plans to return to coach ing but would t completely Rule out the possibility. Thirty nine years is a Long time he said. It the offer would have to be something pretty