Phil Steele is a man defined by a singular, all-consuming focus. While he can effortlessly recite intricate details about the offensive line at UMass, he struggles to answer basic questions about his personal life, such as his favorite television show. He admits that his daily routine is strictly limited to checking the weather and watching the news, noting, “I check the weather. I watch the news first thing in the morning. If my daughter wants to watch a movie, I’ll watch a movie.” For Steele, there is no time for entertainment; his life is entirely dedicated to the sport of college football.
For the past 32 years, Steele has authored the “College Football Preview,” a publication widely regarded as the sport’s definitive bible. His devotion to the craft is so intense that he only recently traveled to Europe for the first time. The magazine has become a must-have resource for reporters and athletic administrators, often arriving with the same anticipation that the Sears catalog once generated during the holiday season. It serves as a reliable signal that the college football season is approaching.
Steele’s journey began in Cleveland, where he grew up rooting for the Browns and Ohio State. His interest shifted from casual fandom to analytical obsession when his father, Henry, introduced him to parlay cards. By age 10, Steele was already crafting his own power rankings and successfully picking winners. After a brief stint in college, he decided to bet on himself at age 21 by launching a handicapping service. This eventually evolved into a newsletter called “Power Sweep,” funded by a second mortgage his parents took out to help him purchase a print shop.
The transition from handicapper to publisher occurred in 1994 with the release of the first “Phil Steele College Football Preview.” Initially a 195-page black-and-white booklet, it was mailed to radio stations nationwide to gain traction. Today, the magazine has grown into a massive 375-page volume that provides the same level of granular detail for smaller programs like Texas-San Antonio as it does for major powerhouses. Although he employs a staff of about 10, Steele personally writes every word of the team-specific spreads, maintaining a unique, non-traditional editorial style that prioritizes raw data and formulas over polished prose.
Steele’s home life is as structured as his work. In 1992, he purchased a six-acre property that features a barn, a trampoline, bikes, and a full basketball court. He maintains a rigorous daily regimen that includes a Peloton workout and hitting a 15,000-step goal. Even during his downtime, he is often thinking about football. “College football is all I do. It’s my world,” he says. During the season, he spends Saturdays in his office, managing a bank of televisions to track up to 12 games simultaneously, taking copious notes and updating his complex spreadsheets.
The rise of the transfer portal has added layers of complexity to his work, making it harder to track roster stability. Despite this, he remains committed to his goal of producing the most accurate publication in the industry. He spends his springs interviewing coaches to gather insights, a process that has earned him significant respect within the sport. He is currently frustrated by the emergence of counterfeit versions of his work appearing on platforms like Amazon. After discovering four fake books, he issued a stern warning to his readers, expressing his disdain for the inferior products that use his name.
Steele’s commitment remains unwavering, even when he is away from his desk. Whether he is watching FCS games or analyzing matchups like UL-Monroe against Georgia State, he is constantly looking ahead to the next edition of his magazine. “I’ll be in the barn watching UL-Monroe against Georgia State and I’m thinking about next year’s magazine,” he explains. “Like how does the offensive line look?” For Steele, the work is never truly finished, as he continues to refine his formulas and predictions to ensure his readers receive the most comprehensive analysis available. The report also notes that the author of the veritable college football Bible – the eponymous “College Football Preview” – Steele long ago ditched such banalities as hobbies and pastimes. The report also notes that in 1992, Steele bought a six-acre property from the former wrestling coach at Saint Edward’s High School. The report also notes that every day, along with hopping on his Peloton and ensuring he reaches his 15,000-step allotment, the proud papa of pigskin prognostications … hoops. The report also notes that who can recite chapter and verse on the offensive line at UMass, has no answer to an innocuous ice breaker of a question, a man who spits out information for a living. The report also notes that admitting that he not only doesn’t have a favorite TV show; he can’t really name any, he hems and haws for a few seconds before he finally gives up. The report also notes that because, of course, Phil Steele doesn’t have time to binge-watch some Netflix or Hulu nonsense. The report also notes that in return, Steele has carved a unique and profitable niche in the oversaturated American sports landscape by providing the two things fans crave most: information about their teams and the chance to sound smart.
