Steve Taneyhill, South Carolina Football Legend, Dies at 52
COLUMBIA, S.C. - One of the most iconic figures in South Carolina football history, Steve Taneyhill, has died at the age of 52. The Spartanburg County coroner’s office confirmed the news on Sunday, though the cause and date of death have not yet been released.
Taneyhill wasn’t just a quarterback - he was a full-blown personality. From his unmistakable mullet to his signature "home run swing" celebration after throwing touchdowns, Taneyhill brought swagger to the Gamecocks program during the early 1990s. He played with flair, confidence, and a competitive fire that made him a fan favorite and a thorn in the side of opposing defenses.
From 1992 to 1995, Taneyhill commanded the South Carolina offense and left his name all over the record books. Most notably, he led the Gamecocks to their first-ever bowl win in program history - a 24-21 victory over West Virginia in the 1995 Carquest Bowl. That game wasn’t just a win; it was a turning point for a program that had long been searching for national relevance.
Statistically, Taneyhill’s numbers still hold weight in Columbia. He owns the single-game records for most pass attempts (58) and completions (39), and he remains the program’s all-time leader in both career completions (753) and passing touchdowns (62).
He ranks second in school history in career passing yards (8,782) and single-game passing yards (473 vs. Mississippi State on Oct.
14, 1995).
Over his four-year career, Taneyhill completed 60.5% of his passes (753-for-1,245), threw for nearly 9,000 yards, and racked up 62 touchdowns to just 37 interceptions. He had 22 games with over 200 passing yards and eight with more than 300 - numbers that speak to his consistency and ability to stretch the field.
But Taneyhill’s impact went far beyond the stat sheet. He was the face of the program during a pivotal era, and his confidence helped usher in a new level of belief for Gamecock fans. He played like he knew he belonged on the big stage - and made sure everyone else knew it too.
After college, the Pennsylvania native stayed close to the game and to South Carolina. He transitioned into coaching, taking his talents to the high school sidelines.
Taneyhill led Chesterfield High School to three straight state championships from 2007 to 2009 - a rare feat that showed his ability to inspire and teach the game at a high level. He also coached at Cambridge Academy and later at Union High School from 2012 to 2015.
In 2006, Taneyhill was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame - a well-earned honor for a player who helped shape the identity of Gamecock football.
Off the field, Taneyhill was a familiar face in Columbia and Spartanburg’s restaurant scene. He owned two popular establishments in Columbia - Group Therapy and CB18 - and later operated Prime Restaurant and Whiskey Lounge in Spartanburg from 2022 to 2024. Whether it was coaching, business, or just being around people, Taneyhill had a way of staying connected to the community that embraced him.
The news of his passing hit hard across the South Carolina football family. Current Gamecocks tight ends coach Shawn Elliott shared a heartfelt message on social media:
**“All I know is I sure would’ve love to have had the chance to walk in a huddle with him. RIP my friend.
You’ll be missed.” **
Steve Taneyhill wasn’t just a quarterback. He was a leader, a showman, a record-setter, and a Gamecock through and through. His legacy lives on in the memories of those fall Saturdays, the records he set, the players he coached, and the fans who’ll never forget the quarterback with the mullet and the fire to match.