Former Kansas State football coach dies

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Dana Dimel, who spent 20 years as a part of Bill Snyder’s Kansas State football coaching staff, died Tuesday at 62, his family announced.

Dimel, who spent the 2024 season on former K-State assistant Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois, served three stints on Snyder’s staff at K-State following an All-America playing career as an offensive tackle for the Wildcats from 1984-86. He is survived by his wife, Julie, and two children.

“Obviously, we are very saddened by the passing of Dana,” Snyder said. “He was a special friend and coaching companion. 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.”

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in Manhattan in 1987-88 leading into eight seasons (1989-96) as an assistant coach. He returned to K-State for one season in 2005 and then returned to K-State for the third time and spent nine seasons (2009-17) as the program’s offensive coordinator and running backs/tight ends coach.

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