From 1999 to 2002, Steele served as the head football coach at Baylor University, compiling a record of 9–36 overall and 1–31 in the Big 12 Conference.
On January 4, 2007, Steele was hired by new Alabama coach Nick Saban as defensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide.
After the 2014 season, Steele was hired by then Louisiana State University head coach Les Miles as defensive coordinator.
Following the 2015 season, he was hired by then Auburn Tigers head football coach Gus Malzahn as defensive coordinator.
Under head coach Dom Capers, the Panthers reached the NFC Championship Game in their second season (1996).
[3] Steele's second season began with a 2–1 non-conference record but was followed by eight straight Big 12 losses, only one closer than 24 points.
A particularly rough stretch in October saw the Bears shut out in three consecutive games (the last of which was a 59–0 loss at Nebraska, where the Huskers led 38–0 after the first quarter).
Steele's third season in 2001 started with a 2–0 record (including an exciting overtime win over New Mexico), but the Bears won only one more game to finish 3–8.
However, Cal (who turned out to be greatly improved in 2002) immediately took command of the game, jumping to a 35–0 lead and cruising to a 70–22 win.