Haley, former Steelers' personnel director of 1970s dynasty, dead at 85

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Dick Haley, the former director of player personnel that helped piece together the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that produced four Super Bowl championships, has passed away at the age of 85.

"We lost an amazing football mind and a better man with the passing of Dick Haley," Art Rooney II said in a statement. "He was a valuable part of this franchise for 23 years, the first 4 of those as a player and the final 19 as a member of the Player Personnel Department.

"Dick played an instrumental role in our unprecedented success in the 1970s during the second part of his career. He developed a unique eye for talent, and he ultimately helped identify and draft many of the players that allowed us to win four Super Bowls during that decade.

"My condolences go out to the entire Haley family during this difficult time."

Mr. Haley, a western Pennsylvania native and Pitt graduate, played running back for the Panthers from 1956-58. He played six seasons in the NFL for the Redskins, Vikings and Steelers, mostly as a defensive back. During his playing time with the Steelers from 1961-64, Mr. Haley recorded 13 of his 14 career interceptions and scored the only touchdown of his career.

Hr. Haley served in his role as director of player personnel from 1971-90. During his tenure, the Steelers drafted seven Hall of Famers -- five of which came from the 1974 draft: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Mike Webster and Donnie Shell (Shell signed as an undrafted free agent). To this day, the Steelers' 1974 draft is considered through many in the NFL to be the single best draft class in history.

Mr. Haley's son, Todd, also served as the Steelers' offensive coordinator from 2012-17.

"Very sorry to say, the world, the NFL and my entire family lost one of the best people I’ve ever known and my idol," Todd Haley posted on his Twitter account. "A man that gave me the best chance to succeed in this world. My father Dick Haley after long fight with dementia and Parkinson’s. I love you DAD!”

After parting ways with the Steelers in 1990, Mr. Haley took over as director of player personnel for the Jets. He was later inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.