Illinois assistant Dana Dimel, longtime college coach, dies

Field Level Media|published: Tue 3rd December, 12:07 2024

UTEP head football coach Dana Dimel before facing Liberty on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at the Sun Bowl Stadium.

Dana Dimel, an assistant coach at Illinois and formerly the head coach at Wyoming, Houston and UTEP, died Tuesday morning, his family announced. He was 62.

Dimel's agent, Pete Roussel, said on social media that Dimel passed away in his sleep.

The coach spent this season as a senior offensive assistant on Bret Bielema's staff at Illinois. He also was a longtime assistant coach for Bill Snyder at Kansas State.

"Obviously, we are very saddened by the passing of Dana. He was a special friend and coaching companion," Snyder said in a statement. "I admired his passion for helping his players and fellow coaches. He was a big part of the development of the Kansas State football program, and along with his wife Julie, very meaningful in the Manhattan community."

Dimel began his coaching career in 1987 at Kansas State, his alma mater, and was on staff there until Wyoming (1997-99) named him its head coach. He also was the head coach at Houston (2000-02) and returned to Kansas State before being hired to lead UTEP (2018-23).

Dimel had a career head coaching record of 50-88 before joining the Fighting Illini.

"Today is a difficult day for college football and our Illini (family)," Bielema said in a statement. "Dana was an exceptional person, husband, father, friend, and football coach. He affected the lives of countless coaches, players, and staff members for more than three decades in college football.

"His influence on our program was incredible to witness and be a part of. His infectious positive energy had a major impact on me, our players, and everyone in our building every day. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family."

--Field Level Media