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Steve Greer

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Steve Greer (July 23, 1947 – December 13, 2021) was a college football position coach and executive between 1971 and 2009. During his playing career in the 1960s, he was the AA Lineman of the Year twice while at Greer High School and received All-America selections while at the University of Georgia. After briefly playing with the Toronto Argonauts in 1970, he started coaching the defensive line freshmen with the University of Georgia the following year. He continued his freshmen coaching experience with the offensive and defensive players at Auburn University until 1973. After moving to varsity football in 1974, he primarily continued his defensive coaching career with both universities until 1993.

During this time period, Greer was the recruiting coordinator and defensive end coach with Georgia from 1979 to 1981. After starting an administrative assistant role with Georgia in 1993, he resumed his recruiting coordinator position in 1994. Three years later, he became the Director of Football Operations. He remained in the role until he decided to leave the university in 2009. After his football tenure, Greer was with Jim Whitehead Tire Service during 2011. Greer joined the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Early life and education

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Greer's birth occurred in Greer, South Carolina during July 23, 1947.[1] During his childhood, he was a fruit packer and hunter.[2][3] He began playing football at Greer High School in 1961.[4][5] With the team, Greer played in the 1963 Upstate Class AA championship.[6] That year, he was All-Southern and won the AA Lineman of the Year award.[7][8]

During 1964, he was named "outstanding lineman" after his South Carolina team won the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.[9][10] For that season, Greer was All-Southern and the AA Lineman of the Year.[11][12] At the 1965 North-South All-Star, he was Outstanding Lineman and won with the North.[13]

That year, Greer was on the freshman football team for the University of Georgia.[14] He did not play in 1966 after knee surgery.[15][16] Following his return to the team in 1967, Greer played at that year's Liberty Bowl.[17][18] Additional bowl game appearances with Georgia were at the Sugar Bowl and Sun Bowl during 1969.[19][20] That year, he became their captain.[21] With the South, his team won the American Bowl and Hula Bowl in 1970.[22][23]

Career

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In May 1970, Greer joined the Toronto Argonauts.[24] He played on the team during July 1970 before being cut that month.[25][26] In 1971, he was hired as a graduate assistant with Georgia.[27] While there, Greer began his defensive line coaching career in freshman football.[28] With his freshmen experience at Auburn University from 1972 to 1973, Greer was an offensive coach for one year and defensive coach for two years.[29]

Greer continued working as a defensive coach after moving to Auburn's varsity football team in 1974.[30][29] He remained in his position with the university until he became the recruiting coordinator at Georgia during 1979.[31] With Georgia, he was also a defensive end coach before ending both positions in 1981.[32] Greer resumed his defensive line experience with Georgia that year.[33] He remained there as their coach until 1993.[34]

Greer started his administrative assistant role in 1993.[35] While in his position, he had become the recruiting coordinator by 1994.[36] In 1997, Greer became the Director of Football Operations and left as coordinator.[37][38] He remained as Director of Football Operations until he decided to leave Georgia in 2009.[39] Outside of football, Greer was with Jim Whitehead Tire Service during 2011.[40]

Honors

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While at Georgia, Greer was All-Southeastern Conference for United Press International and The Associated Press in 1969.[41][42] For All-America selections, Greer was chosen in 1968 by the Central Press.[43] The following year, he was All-America for Central Press and The Associated Press.[44][45] Greer received the Lineman of the Year award from the Atlanta Touchdown Club during 1970.[46][47] During 2014, he joined the Georgia Bulldogs Circle of Honor.[48] He became part of the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame in 2019.[49]

Personal life and death

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During the late 2010s, Greer began experiencing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in his arms.[50] He had three children during his marriage.[51] Greer's death occurred in Athens, Georgia on December 13, 2921.[52]

References

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  1. ^ Garbin, Patrick; Garbin, A.P. (2013). Game of My Life Georgia Bulldogs: Memorable Stories of Bulldog Football. New York: Sports Publishing. p. 42. ISBN 9781613210109. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  2. ^ Smith, Loran (February 26, 2019). "Steve Greer one of the best ever from Palmetto State". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Smith, Loran (March 9, 2021). "Georgia All-America guard Steve Greer Battles ALS and Reflects on the Positive". National Football Foundation. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  4. ^ "Parker JV Edges Greer". The Greenville News. September 15, 1961. p. Thirty-Two.
  5. ^ Hill, Mac (August 28, 1962). "Another Powerhouse Likely for Jackets". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. pp. 3-B, 4-B.
  6. ^ "Blocked Kick And 80-Yard Run Lift Chester To 19-6 Victory Off Greer". The Greenville News. November 23, 1963. p. Nine.
  7. ^ "Fair Of Parker Is All-Southern". The Greenville News. December 22, 1963. p. 1-C.
  8. ^ "Woodward, Greer, Wilson, Given Top AA Grid Awards". The Greenville News. January 16, 1964. p. Sixteen.
  9. ^ Laye, Leonard (December 6, 1964). "Steve Greer Gets Award as Lineman". The Greenville News. p. 1-C.
  10. ^ "The History of The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas". Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. June 28, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Greer and McCord Top S.C. Players". The State and The Columbia Record. December 20, 1964. p. 4-C.
  12. ^ "Ammons, Lynch Earn AA Honors". The Columbia Record. January 15, 1965. p. 7-A.
  13. ^ Hunter, Jim (August 6, 1965). "Steve Greer Liked Mid-Season Hittin'". The Columbia Record. p. 5-A.
  14. ^ Anderson, Jim (October 13, 1965). "Friday Game Has Appeal". The Greenville News. p. Eleven.
  15. ^ "Steve Greer Has Surgery". The Greenville News. April 22, 1966. p. Thirty-Four.
  16. ^ Clark, Bill (April 6, 1967). "Scott Bulldog Causality". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 56.
  17. ^ Jackson, Teague (September 5, 1967). "Kemp-Greer 'Comebacks' Help Vince Sleep". The Atlanta Journal. p. 4-C.
  18. ^ Anderson, Jim (December 17, 1967). "Better Way to End Season". The Greenville News. p. sec. 3 p. 1.
  19. ^ Darby, Cecil (January 2, 1969). "'Wrong' Defense Dominated Sugar Bowl". The Columbus Ledger. p. 31.
  20. ^ Allan, Tom (December 21, 1969). "Dooley Says Huskers Best Georgia Foe". Omaha World-Herald. p. 4-C.
  21. ^ "Steve Greer Selected Georgia Team Captain". The Greenville News. December 12, 1969. p. Sixty-Four.
  22. ^ Kirby, Bill (January 4, 1970). "Soggy South Players Enjoy Victory Bus Ride". The Tampa Tribune. p. 5-E.
  23. ^ "South Whips North in Hula Bowl Game". The York Dispatch. January 12, 1970. p. 26.
  24. ^ "Argonauts Sign American Imports". The Ottawa Journal. Canadian Press. May 27, 1970. p. 20.
  25. ^ "Corrigall finds CFL tough". The Hamilton Spectator. July 8, 1970. p. 17.
  26. ^ "Argo's axe fells eight". The Montreal Star. Canadian Press. July 27, 1970. p. 19.
  27. ^ Grizzard, Lewis (February 12, 1971). "Ex-Georgia Star Joins Frosh Staff". The Atlanta Journal. p. 3-D.
  28. ^ "AU adds another assistant coach". The Anniston Star. June 13, 1972. p. 9.
  29. ^ a b Cox, Paul (February 21, 1974). "Greer Is Promoted; Neel Joins Staff". The Opelika-Auburn News. p. B-2.
  30. ^ Dailey, Jim (May 7, 1974). "Auburn's Greer is patiently waiting". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. 9.
  31. ^ "Georgia Obtains Auburn Coach". The Columbus Enquirer. April 10, 1979. p. C-3.
  32. ^ Barreiro, Dan (May 25, 1981). "Lewis Replaces Russell As Bulldog Defensive Coordinator". The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. p. 3-D.
  33. ^ "Auburn's Wishbone Presents Problems for 'Dogs' Defense". The Columbus Ledger. Associated Press. November 11, 1981. p. D-1.
  34. ^ "Dogs go with Campbell". The Macon Telegraph. The Associated Press. December 7, 1993. p. 1B.
  35. ^ "Macon native is named to Bulldogs' coaching post". The Macon Telegraph. Staff and wire reports. December 16, 1993. p. 1A.
  36. ^ Simpson, Kamon (February 3, 1994). "Georgia gets most of state best". The Macon Telegraph. p. 1C.
  37. ^ Barnhart, Tony (August 24, 1997). "At the crossroads". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E4.
  38. ^ Odum, Charles (January 9, 1998). "UGA hires former AU assistant". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. p. C1.
  39. ^ Hale, David (January 10, 2009). "Richt shuffles coaching staff". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. p. B8.
  40. ^ Bowman, Buddy (February 16, 2011). "An illustrious football career ends Greer retires at the Univ. of Georgia". The Greer Citizen. p. n. p.
  41. ^ "Greer Selected To UPI Stars". The Atlanta Constitution. United Press International. November 22, 1969. p. 31.
  42. ^ "Passer Reaves, Catcher Alvarez All-SEC Picks". St. Petersburg Independent. Associated Press. November 26, 1969. p. 2-C. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  43. ^ "Central Press Captains' 1968 All-American Team". The Danville News. December 5, 1968. p. Eleven.
  44. ^ "Central Press Captains' 1969 All-American Team". The Gaffney Ledger. November 24, 1969. p. 5-A.
  45. ^ "A.P. All-America selections". The Morning News. Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press. December 5, 1969. p. 45.
  46. ^ Whitley, Bill (January 18, 1970). "Greer TD Club Lineman of the Year". The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. p. 8-C.
  47. ^ "Manning saluted by Atlanta Club". The Delta Democrat-Times. United Press International. January 25, 1970. p. 26.
  48. ^ "Circle of Honor". University of Georgia Athletics. June 17, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  49. ^ "Steve Greer". SC Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  50. ^ Shanesy, Todd (April 23, 2019). "A Viking ceremony". Go Upstate. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  51. ^ Robinson, Manie (January 21, 2019). "Former Greer High, UGA All-American Steve Greer tackling ALS like quarterbacks". Greenville News. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  52. ^ "Steve Greer, All-America Lineman and Former Coach, Passes Away". University of Georgia Athletics. December 13, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
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