 During the 1969–70 season, the Quakers won 29 straight games, finishing 32–4 and fourth in the nation.In 1970 Steele joined the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association (ABA) as an assistant coach under Bones McKinney.In November 1970, after the Cougars started the season with a record of 17–25, McKinney was dismissed and Steele was promoted to head coach.