Steve Taneyhill, Former Gamecock Star, Passes Away – South Carolina Athletics
Steve Taneyhill, a prominent figure in South Carolina athletics, has died at the age of 52. He was recognized as a record-setting quarterback for the University of South Carolina and a dedicated high school coach.
Career Highlights
Taneyhill, born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, played for the Gamecocks from 1992 to 1995. He started four seasons as a quarterback, setting several school records:
- Completions: 753
- Passing Touchdowns: 62
- Passing Yards: 8,782 (second all-time)
- Completion Percentage: 60.5% (seventh all-time)
In 2006, Taneyhill was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in college football.
Memorable Achievements
Taneyhill’s accolades include:
- Freshman of the Year by Sports Illustrated (1992)
- Football News Freshman All-America honors (1992)
- Leading the Gamecocks to their first bowl victory in school history (1994) against West Virginia in the Carquest Bowl
During his time with the Gamecocks, he accumulated eight games with over 300 passing yards, including six in his senior season.
Record-Setting Performances
At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Taneyhill held the following records:
- Two highest passing yard games in school history:
- 471 yards vs. Mississippi State (1995)
- 451 yards vs. East Carolina (1994)
- 405 yards against Georgia (1995)
- Single-game pass completions (39 of 58 vs. East Carolina, 1994)
- Tied for second in five touchdown passes against Louisiana Tech and Vanderbilt (1995)
- 29 passing touchdowns in the 1995 season (a school record)
Coaching Career
Following his playing days, Taneyhill transitioned to coaching. He led Chesterfield High School to three consecutive South Carolina state championships from 2007 to 2009, and his team was state runners-up in 2006. Additionally, he served as the head coach at Union High School for four seasons, from 2012 to 2015.
Business Ventures
After his coaching tenure, Taneyhill became a successful businessman, operating establishments in both Columbia and Spartanburg.
Funeral arrangements are currently pending as the community mourns the loss of this impactful athlete and coach.
