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Former South Carolina Quarterback Steve Taneyhill, who played for the Gamecocks from 1992 to 1995, has died at age 52.
Gamecocks Athletic Department Confirmed Monday that Taneyhill died in his sleep overnight, although no cause of death was given.
“Tanyhill was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006,” the Gamecocks said in a statement announcing his death. “In 1992, he was named Freshman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Football News Freshman All-America.
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USC's Steve Taneyhill taunts Clemson fans after USC beats Clemson 24-13 at Clemson in 1992. (Tim Dominic/The State/Tribune News Service)
“An exciting player, Taneyhill was known for his iconic mullet hairstyle and his 'home runs' off touchdown passes.”
Taneyhill led the Gamecocks to their first bowl victory in program history in 1994, his junior season at South Carolina. They defeated West Virginia in the Carquest Bowl.
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And when Taneyhill scored touchdowns, he would hit his famous “home run,” the statement said, in celebration.
Native Altoona, Pennsylvania Taneyhill set South Carolina records with 753 targets and 62 passing touchdowns in his four seasons. He was also second with 8,782 passing yards and seventh with a 60.5 passing percentage.
In his senior season in 1995, Taneyhill led the SEC in passing completions (261), passing attempts (389) and completion percentage (67.1) en route to 3,094 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Quarterback Steve Taneyhill of the University of South Carolina drops back to pass during a 42-23 loss to the University of Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on September 2, 1995. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
For his performance as a star for the Gamecocks, Taneyhill was later inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
To this day, Taneyhill has three of the four highest rushing games in school history, including a 471-yard day against Mississippi State in 1995.
However, Taneyhill never made it to the NFL and joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 1997. However, he was released in pre-season and never played in the league.
He later became a high school football coach, leading his Chesterfield High team to the South Carolina state title three straight seasons from 2007–09.
Steve Taneyhill, University of South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback passes down the field during an NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs on September 2, 1995 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, USA. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
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South Carolina said in a statement that he also acquired and operated businesses in Columbia and Spartanburg, S.C., after his coaching days ended.
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