Who is Steve Taneyhill’s wife? Tabitha Taneyhill mourns former SC QB as he dies at 52

Former University of South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Steve Taneyhill passed away in hospice care after a prolonged cancer battle on December 15. He was 52. Atlanta journalist Cody Alcorn confirmed the news on behalf of Steve’s wife, Tabitha Taneyhill.

“A pillar of Gamecock history | Steve Taneyhill. Tabitha asked I share the following statement: With a heavy heart, I’m sharing that my husband, Steve, passed away on December 15, 2025,” Alcorn’s Facebook post read.

The statement continued:

“Steve fought a rare stage 4 malignant Insulinoma cancer for more than four years. He fought longer and harder than expected because that was who he was—strong, determined, and unwilling to give up on the life and people he loved.”

Tabitha Taneyhill is a deputy superintendent at Limestone Charter Association in Columbia, South Carolina.

She mourned Steve Taneyhill by extending her profound gratitude towards the doctors, nurses, and medical teams at Duke and Lexington Oncology, whom she claimed “cared” for her husband with “compassion and excellence” throughout his cancer journey.

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All about Steve Taneyhill’s wife

It remains unknown when Tabitha and Steve Taneyhill got married. However, in her tribute, she mentioned:

“Steve met his match in me. We were both competitive, both stubborn, and both liked to win. That was part of the magic. He was my partner in everything and my best friend.”

Whether the couple had any children is also undisclosed. However, they were dog parents. In fact, Tabitha Taneyhill shared that her late husband was “Pippy and Millie’s favorite human.”

“He spoiled them endlessly, and in his eyes, they could do no wrong. He was the very best dog dad—patient, playful, and endlessly devoted.”

Steve Taneyhill’s wife has been serving in her current role as a deputy superintendent and director of student services since April 2022. The Spartanburg, SC native graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. degree in political science and government in 2001.

Subsequently, she served as a teacher at Dorman High School for three years before becoming the assistant principal at Fairforest Middle School. Tabitha Taneyhill was the director of curriculum and instruction at South Carolina’s Union County Schools.

Between 2016 and 2022, Steve Taneyhill’s wife was also the director of student services and safety at Spartanburg School District 2.

Besides his wife and dogs, the former high school football coach leaves behind his father, Art Taneyhill, his sister Debbie, and his nephew Jason. Steve’s mother, Susan Taneyhill, preceded him in death.

“Steve was… without question, a mama’s boy. His love for her shaped the man he became, and he carried her with him always,” Tabitha said of her late husband.

The Facebook post also recalled Mr Tabeyhill as a “cocky Gamecock quarterback” who was famous for “rocking a mullet.”

“He came from a long line of athletes and celebrated coaches, and that competitive spirit, confidence, and love of the game were simply part of his DNA,” the statement added.

Ahead of his death, Steve Taneyhill was also the coach of Grey and Jack. He trained Grey as a quarterback for an “undefeated regular season” of recreational football. Fondly remembered as Coach T, the late college football star QB was also Grey’s hunting partner. Meanwhile, Jack was his student as well as a fishing partner.

“Thank you to everyone who has shown us love and support. I ask for privacy as our family grieves the loss of a man who meant so much to so many—but meant everything to me,” Tabitha concluded.

Steve Taneyhill began his football career as a quarterback for the Gamecocks in 1992. He left the team after winning them their first-ever Carquest Bowl two years later against West Virginia. He was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Gamecock Nation mourns the loss of Steve Taneyhill, a pillar of Gamecock history. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Rest in peace, Steve,” the tribute on Gamecocks’ official X page reads.

Later, the Altoona, Pennsylvania native served as the coach of Chesterfield High School, leading them to a state championship victory for three consecutive seasons between 2007 and 2009. Later, he became the head coach of the Union County School’s football team in 2015.

While Steve never played in the NFL, he was an undrafted free agent of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1997.

The late QB was also a successful businessman in the latter part of his life. He was the owner of the Five Points Group Therapy bar and renamed it as Steve Taneyhill’s Group Therapy. Taneyhill also owned restaurants and lounges across Columbia and Spartanburg, SC.