Former UTEP Football Coach Dana Dimel Dies in His Sleep

Former UTEP football head coach Dana Dimel, who served as an offensive assistant at Illinois this season, died Tuesday in his sleep at the age of 62. His agent Pete Roussel was the first to announce the news.

UTEP was Dimel's longest head coaching job, coaching six seasons (2018-2023). He coached the Miners to the 2021 New Mexico Bowl and the team finished with a 7-6 record. He joined Illinois football in July as a senior offensive assistant and helped the Fighting Illini to a 9-3 record in 2024.

Prior to UTEP, Dimel was known as a longtime assistant coach to legendary coach Bill Snyder at Kansas State. His other head coaching stints came at Houston (2000-02) and Wyoming (1997-99).

He is survived by his wife, Julie, and children, Winston and Josey.

“So very sad to hear of the unexpected passing of Coach Dimel last night,” UTEP President Heather Wilson said in a statement. “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 in a release. “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.”