Ernest "Steve" Stephens Hale

Steve Hale, age 64, of Columbus, GA passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021. A graveside burial service for Steve will be held on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 11:00 am at Park Hill Cemetery in Columbus, GA. A visitation will be held for family and friends immediately following the service.

Steve was born on April 4, 1956 in Fort Benning, GA at Martin Army Hospital. He travelled all over the United States and the Asia-Pacific following his father’s Army career before returning to Columbus, GA. While living in Columbus, GA, Steve attended Columbus High School where he starred as a student-athlete on the football team. Steve’s athletic prowess was ultimately rewarded with a full scholarship offer to play football for East Carolina University. Although Steve was recruited to play football as an option-quarterback, he later transitioned into a defensive back, and became a full-time starter.

Steve’s football career continued past his playing days, as upon graduation he was immediately hired by East Carolina’s head football coach, Pat Dye. Steve then went on to coach football at Clemson University where he would help the team go undefeated, and win the 1981 National Championship. After this resounding success, Steve was hired by the University of Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant to coach for the Crimson Tide. He was the last coach that Coach Bryant ever hired. After the passing of Bryant, Steve stayed at Alabama and coached under Coach Ray Perkins for a number of years. Steve would eventually move on to coach football at the University of Louisiana at Lafyette before his last coaching stop at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Throughout Steve’s coaching career he developed a reputation as a hard worker, and an ace recruiter. It was these traits that led him to being offered the position as CEO and President of the Senior Bowl, a collegiate all-star game coordinated with the NFL. Steve would lead the Senior Bowl for nearly twenty years, and develop it into the premier collegiate all-star game in the nation; a game to which NFL coaches and scouts would flock to every year.

Steve was a Christian man, who not only practiced his faith regularly, but also raised his family as a Christian home. He used his platform to help others, and made the Fellowship of Christian Athletes a strong partner with the Senior Bowl.

Based on his life it is evident that Steve cherished football, but he was also an avid fan of other sports. He loved to play golf, and while living down in Mobile, AL he would frequent the rivers and go fishing on the weekends, or simply ride around on his boat.

However, while football and coaching were Steve’s passion, his first love was always his family. Steve met his wife, Kathy Raines Hale, while high school students at Columbus High School. They began dating as teenagers, and stayed together throughout Steve’s life. Steve and Kathy’s marriage resulted in two children, Trippe and Carson; however, Steve would certainly add their dogs Woody, Luke, Max, and Johnny as integral parts of the Hale family.

Steve is preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca Hale.

He is survived by his wife Kathy Hale, his son Trippe Hale (Adela), his granddaughter Mila Grace Hale, his son Carson Hale, father Earnest Hale, sister Pam Coburn (Tommy), nephew Clay Coburn, in-laws Charles and Frances Raines, and brother-in-law Scott Raines. He is also survived by an extended family and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Hale family.