Career
Steele was a native of Elkin, North Carolina. After graduating from Wake Forest, Steele earned his master"s degree from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Steele took over as the men"s basketball coach in 1962.
In 1970 Steele joined the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association as an assistant coach under Bones McKinney.
In November 1970, after the Cougars started the season with a record of 17 wins and 25 losses, McKinney was dismissed and Steele was promoted to head coach. Steele"s record for the remainder of the season matched that of McKinney: 17 wins and 25 losses.
The Cougars finished the 1970-1971 season with a record of 34 wins and 50 losses, finishing in sixth place in the American Bar Association Eastern Division and missing the playoffs. Steele left the Cougars" head coaching position after the 1970-1971 season concluded.
He was replaced by Tom Meschery.
Steele moved on to become director of player personnel for the Cougars. In 1972 Steele became the head coach at University. Among his early players was current Texas Technical head coach Tubby Smith.
Steele coached at for 32 years, from 1972 to 2003.
His record at was 457-412. He also served as Athletic Director at HPU for 26 years, from 1978 to 2003.
Steele retired after the end of the 2002-2003 season. Players who Steele coached who went on to become head coaches include Dave Odom and Master of Laws Carr.