Steckel was born in Whitehall, Pennsylvania and attended the University of Kansas, where he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion and graduated in 1968 with a triple degree in social work, human relations, and political science.

He returned to the NFL with the Denver Broncos from 1993 to 1994, followed by five years with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, where he helped lead them to Super Bowl XXXIV as offensive coordinator.

Despite his transformation of the team's offense, Steckel's drill sergeant approach to coaching was a poor fit for the Tampa Bay franchise.

He became president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on March 1, 2005, after taking time off to coach his son's high school team.

[7] Trentin Dupper, the Colonels' quarterback, earned the Southern Athletic Association Newcomer of the Year award under Steckel's tutelage.

[8] He is married to the former Chris Picket, and they have three children: Lesley, a graduate of Baylor University, Luke Steckel, who played football at Princeton University and is currently the offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears; and Christian, also a Baylor graduate, is a reporter and host for Bally Sports Southwest.