Dana Dimel

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Dana Dimel
Dimel at 2018 C-USA Kickoff
Biographical details
Born (1962-10-09) October 9, 1962 (age 61)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
1984–1986Kansas State
Position(s)Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1987–1988Kansas State (GA)
1989–1992Kansas State (OL)
1993–1994Kansas State (RGC/OL)
1995–1996Kansas State (OC)
1997–1999Wyoming
2000–2002Houston
2005Kansas State (GA)
2006–2007Arizona (TE)
2008Arizona (TE/RB)
2009–2017Kansas State (OC/RB/TE)
2018–2023UTEP
Head coaching record
Overall50–88
Bowls0–1

Dana August Dimel (born October 9, 1962) is an American football coach and former player. He was most recently the head football coach of the University of Texas at El Paso.[1] Previously he was the co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Kansas State University from 2009–2017. Dimel has also coached at the University of Arizona and served as the head football coach at the University of Wyoming from 1997 to 1999 and at the University of Houston from 2000 to 2002, compiling a career college football record of 47-79.

Playing career[edit]

Dimel played high school football at Upper Arlington High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio. He was named 1st team All-Central Ohio League as a defensive linemen in 1980.[2] Dimel then played at Hutchinson Community College before signing with Kansas State.[3]

After one season on the defensive line, Dimel made the switch to offensive tackle for his final two years at Kansas State. He was named All-American by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.[4] He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in June 1987 and released in August.[5][6]

Dimel was named to the Kansas State all decade team for the 1980s.[7]

Coaching career[edit]

Dimel was a long-time assistant during his first stint at Kansas State under legendary football coach, Bill Snyder from 1987 to 1996. Dimel was instrumental in four consecutive Top 20 final rankings. As the offensive coordinator in 1995 and 1996, the Wildcats won 19 games and finished #6 and #17 in the coaches' poll in respective years.

From 1997 to 1999, he coached at the University of Wyoming, and compiled a 22–13 record. At the time he became head coach, he was the youngest head coach in Division I-A. After his rapid success at Wyoming, he became the head coach at the University of Houston. Previous success would not follow Dimel to Houston, however. During his three seasons in Houston (2000-2002), the Cougars compiled an 8–26 record—including an 0–11 season in 2001, the worst in school history.

In 2006, Dimel became the tight ends coach at the University of Arizona. In October 2006, he took over as running game coordinator for the team as well. After his promotion, the Wildcats beat three top 25 teams.

Dimel returned to Kansas State, and helped them to a 21–5 record over the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Wildcats finished in the Top 15 each season and quarterback Collin Klein was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. In 2012, Kansas State was crowned champions of the Big 12 and earned a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

In December 2017, Dimel was named the head coach at UTEP. UTEP fired Dimel following the 2023 season.[8]

Personal life[edit]

Dimel is married to Julie Josephson Dimel.[9] They have a son and daughter together. Their son Winston Dimel played fullback for his father at UTEP in 2018 after transferring from Kansas State.[10]

Head coaching record[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Wyoming Cowboys (Western Athletic Conference) (1997–1998)
1997 Wyoming 7–6 4–4 T–4th (Pacific)
1998 Wyoming 8–3 6–2 2nd (Mountain)
Wyoming Cowboys (Mountain West Conference) (1999)
1999 Wyoming 7–4 4–3 4th
Wyoming: 22–13 14–9
Houston Cougars (Conference USA) (2000–2002)
2000 Houston 3–8 2–5 T–7th
2001 Houston 0–11 0–7 10th
2002 Houston 5–7 3–5 8th
Houston: 8–26 5–17
UTEP Miners (Conference USA) (2018–2023)
2018 UTEP 1–11 1–7 T–6th (West)
2019 UTEP 1–11 0–8 7th (West)
2020 UTEP 3–5 0–4 7th (West)
2021 UTEP 7–6 4–4 4th (West) L New Mexico
2022 UTEP 5–7 3–5 T–7th
2023 UTEP 3–9 2–6 T–6th
UTEP: 20–49 10–34
Total: 50–88

References[edit]

  1. ^ "UTEP fires coach Dana Dimel after 6 seasons". November 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "Nine Gales Earn All-Central Ohio League". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. December 16, 1980. p. 12. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Dickey announces six more signees". The Manhattan Mercury. January 17, 1984. p. 9. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Janssen, Mark (July 29, 1987). "Anyone have a ticket?". The Manhattan Mercury. p. 9. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Jottings". Star Tribune. June 2, 1987. p. 38. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "Transactions". Detroit Free Press. August 8, 1987. p. 41. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dana Dimel - Football Coach". UTEP Miners. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Deaver, Colin (November 26, 2023). "UTEP parts ways with Dana Dimel after six seasons". KTSM-TV. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "Black, Dimel married August 7 1999=41". The Manhattan Mercury. August 24, 1986. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Dana Dimel - Football Coach". UTEP Miners. Retrieved November 10, 2021.

External links[edit]