Kansas State Wildcats to Pay Tribute in Remembrance of Dana Dimel, Esteemed Football Coach and Longtime Associate of Bill Snyder, Who Passed Away Peacefully at 62 – Fans Express Deep Emotions
Manhattan, KS — The Kansas State Wildcats football program is preparing to pay heartfelt homage to Dana Dimel, a revered figure in college football coaching, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday at the age of 62. Dimel dedicated two decades of his professional life to Kansas State University, where he served in various coaching capacities under the legendary head coach Bill Snyder. His influence helped shape the Wildcats into one of the most respected programs in college football during Snyder’s tenure.
A former offensive lineman turned strategic mastermind, Dimel’s contributions extended well beyond the field. He was known for his sharp football intellect, leadership, and unwavering loyalty to the Wildcats. Dimel’s coaching résumé also included head coaching stints at the University of Wyoming, the University of Houston, and most recently, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where he served as head coach from 2018 until the end of the 2023 season.
Kansas State University has announced that it will hold a formal tribute in honor of Dimel’s life and service to the football community. While details of the memorial have yet to be finalized, the athletic department has confirmed that it will involve current and former players, coaches, and colleagues who were deeply impacted by Dimel’s mentorship and enduring legacy.
Wildcats fans and members of the wider football community have taken to social media to express an outpouring of grief and gratitude. “Coach Dimel was a cornerstone of our success during some of the best years of K-State football,” wrote one longtime fan. “His presence will be greatly missed but never forgotten.”
Bill Snyder, in a public statement, described Dimel as “a trusted friend, an extraordinary coach, and a man of great character.” He added, “Dana’s influence on our players and our program is immeasurable. He was family.”
As Kansas State mourns the loss of one of its foundational figures, the university community remains united in honoring a man whose contributions transcended wins and losses. Dana Dimel’s legacy will endure not only through the playbooks and records he helped craft but also through the countless lives he touched with his leadership and humanity.
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