A native of Greer, South Carolina, Steve was born on July 23, 1947 to the late John H. and Ruth L. Greer.
Steve attended Greer High School and was a 2x winner (1963, 1964) of the South Carolina Class AA Lineman of the Year. He was named to the Shrine Bowl (1964) & North-South All-Star (1965) football games, where he was named Most Valuable Lineman in both games. In 1964, he was named a Parade High School All-American. From there Steve accepted a scholarship to the University of Georgia, where he was a three-year starter. Steve was also a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Delta Chapter.
Steve played in three bowl games, including the 1968 Sugar Bowl as SEC Champions. In 1969, he was named first team All-SEC, an All-American, won the Atlanta Touchdown Club award for Most Valuable Lineman in the SEC, and was named permanent team captain of the Georgia Bulldogs. Greer played in two post-season college all-star games (Lions American Bowl/Hula Bowl). He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1970. He went on to play in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts. After his CFL career Greer came back to Georgia as a grad assistant in 1971, earning a Master’s in Education. Steve then became an assistant coach at Auburn University (1972-1978) before returning as an assistant coach for UGA.
In total, Steve Greer dedicated more than 35 years with the Bulldogs as a Player, Assistant Coach (1979-1993), and Director of Football Operations (1994-2009). Steve was among the 1980 Georgia National Championship football team as Defensive Ends Coach & Recruiting Coordinator. He is known as the primary recruiter for legendary Bulldog running back Herschel Walker. He retired from the University of Georgia in 2009. For the next ten years, Steve was in business with Jim Whitehead of Whitehead Tire. In 2014, he was inducted into the UGA Circle of Honor, and in 2019 he was inducted into the South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Steve Greer was also a member of Athens First United Methodist Church. Most importantly, Steve Greer was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan Jane Harrill Greer; three sons, Stephen A. Greer, Jr. (Tricia), Jefferson M. Greer (Wendy), and Michael W. Greer (Kelly); four grandsons, Sam Greer, Drew Greer, Stowe Greer, and Jack Greer; two granddaughters, McClellan Greer, and Lila Greer; two sisters, Corrie G. Crook, and Judy G. Hensley (Lloyd); and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by brother, John David Greer.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, December 18, 2021 in Athens First United Methodist Church with Reverend Chuck Hodges officiating. The family will receive guests following the service in Hancock Hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Football Scholarship in Memory of Steve Greer. Checks may be made to the UGA Foundation, C/O Ford Williams, 1 Selig Circle, Athens, GA 30602.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
