UTEP Miners

Former UTEP Football Coach Dana Dimel Passes Away

12/3/2024 10:21:00 AM

EL PASO, Texas – Dana Dimel, who directed the UTEP football program as head coach for six seasons (2018-23) and led the Miners to the 2021 New Mexico Bowl, has passed away at the age of 62.

"So very sad to hear of the unexpected passing of Coach Dimel last night," UTEP President Heather Wilson said. "He was unfailingly pleasant and decent to all. My thoughts are with his family and the hundreds of student-athletes who were positively impacted by him over decades as a coach."

"I am saddened to learn of coach Dimel's passing," UTEP Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Senter said. "He has been a builder of football programs, a mentor of young men, and has touched many lives. He had a distinguished football coaching career, and his hard work was appreciated by his peers and the fans at Kansas State, Wyoming, Houston, Arizona, UTEP and Illinois. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Julie, Winston, Josey and the Dimel family."

Dimel took over a UTEP football program that was coming off a winless season. In just his fourth year at the helm (2021), the Miners finished 7-6 and made their first bowl appearance in seven years. It was business as usual for Dimel, who also revived the program at Houston earlier this millennium. He led the Cougars to five victories in 2002 following an 0-11 slate the year prior.

His UTEP teams produced a total of 23 All-Conference USA selections, including current NFL players Jacob Cowing (San Francisco 49ers), Elijah Klein (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Tyrice Knight (Seattle Seahawks) and Andrew Meyer (Miami Dolphins).

Dimel compiled 50 victories as the head coach at Wyoming (1997-99), Houston (2000-02) and UTEP (2018-23). He most recently served as Senior Offensive Assistant at Illinois this season, helping the Illini to a 9-3 record and a no. 21 national ranking. Dimel also had a prolific run as the offensive coordinator at Kansas State in the mid-1990's, and again from 2009-17 before making his way to El Paso.

Dimel is survived by his wife, Julie, and children, Winston and Josey. Winston was a fullback for the Miners during the 2018 season.

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