LARAMIE, Wyo. (Dec. 4, 2024)-- Dana Dimel passed away early Tuesday in his sleep at his residence in Champaign, Illinois, according to a report from his family. He was 62 years old. Dimel had a long career in college football, both as a player and as a coach. Dimel coached at Wyoming from 1997 to 1999. During that time, Vic Koenning was Dimel’s defensive coordinator. Vic took over as the head coach of the Wyoming Cowboys from 2000-2002 following Dimel's departure to accept a head coaching position at the University of Houston. To honor Dimel’s legacy, Vic Koenning shared his memories of a coach he described as a “gentle giant” and a “true leader.” Koenning told us he was honored to speak with us about Dana.
A Genuine Heart
“Dana had a way of making you feel like he was your best friend within minutes of meeting him,” Koenning reflected. “He was always finding ways to enjoy life, whether it was playing golf or doing something fun. He had a genuineness about him that just drew people in.”
Dimel had a reputation as a “good guy” that was far beyond his demeanor; it was evident in how he cared for his players and staff. Koenning recalled, “He had a concern for everybody and a heart that showed through in his leadership. That’s a rare quality in football.”
Coaching Philosophy
Koenning told us that Dimel spent a lot of time working under legendary Kansas State coach Bill Snyder, but he was determined to do things his way. “He believed in doing things his way,” Koenning said. “Whether it was recruiting, evaluations, or practice, he had a vision and stuck to it.”
Dimel inherited a strong team from predecessor Joe Tiller when he took over Wyoming's program. “We had a solid roster,” Koenning noted. “We could’ve won 10 games that year, but I think we ended up with seven wins. Still, his approach left an impression. He didn’t want to just outscore opponents like Tiller; he wanted a sound, balanced team that could play solid defense and control the game.”
Memorable Moments
Koenning’s anecdotes about Dimel ranged from heartfelt to humorous. He recounted one instance during a home game against Colorado State when a whiskey bottle was thrown onto the field. “It landed right near us on the sideline,” he said. “Dana looked at me, and I looked at him. After that, he coached from the press box for the next year. That’s how passionate and wild the fans could get in Laramie.”
On a more somber note, Koenning reflected on Dimel’s deep compassion when tragedy struck. “We had a player (Michael D. Priest of Casper, Wyo.) collapse and pass away during spring practice after being in a car accident we didn’t know about,” he said. “Dana was completely devastated. It showed how much he genuinely cared about the people around him.” News reports stated that Dimel was with the Priest family when Michael passed away.
A Lasting Legacy
Although Dimel’s time at Wyoming was short, Koenning said that he would fit right in as a head coach in the NIL environment. “If he were coaching today, he’d find some ingenious way to handle NIL deals,” he said with a laugh. “Dana was always thinking ahead, always trying to figure out a better way.”
Above all, Koenning highlighted Dimel’s ability to lead with both strength and compassion. “He could get after a player when he needed to, but it was never to tear them down,” he said. “He had a sweetness, an innocent compassion that made people want to follow him. That’s the mark of a great leader.”
As the college football community remembers Dana Dimel, the impact he made on those around him will be felt for years to come. Dimel had a dedication to the game, his teams and his staff that will live on in his legacy.
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