A native of Fullerton, Pennsylvania, Steckel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from high school, and served from 1975 to 1978.
[2] In 1992, Steckel joined Gary Pinkel’s staff at Toledo coaching the defensive line, and served in that capacity for three seasons through 1995..[2] Steckel then joined the coaching staff at Rutgers for five seasons.
[2] In 2001, Steckel reunited with Gary Pinkel at Missouri, joining the Tigers as the linebackers coach.
Steckel would spend the next 14 years tutoring the Tigers linebackers, was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the 2009 season, and was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2011 season.
[1] On December 14, 2014, Steckel was named the 20th head football coach at Missouri State.