UTEP football has fired offensive coordinator Mike Canales and defensive coodrinator Mike Cox after three years with the program. 

"While this was a difficult decision to make, I feel it is in the best interest of our football program moving forward," UTEP coach Dana Dimel said in a statement. "These are good men and I would like to thank them for their service, and wish them well in the future."  

The timing of the decision comes as a surprise. The Miners put together their first multi-win season since 2016 despite losing four games to cancellation. Three of the five losses were within 10 points. The other two losses were against the Texas Longhorns and breakout squad UTSA. 

The offense moved up 20 spots in total offense and scoring offense nationally in Canales' third season. Canales oversaw a full-scale restructure of the system around strong-armed quarterback Gavin Hardison to great success. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing and running back Deion Hankins broke out under his tutelage. 

The defense jumped from No. 95 to No. 47 nationally in total defense and from No. 119 to No. 78 in scoring defense under Cox's tutelage from 2019 to 2020. The numbers were dragged down by a 45-43 loss to UNT after a number of defensive backs opted out. 

UTEP announces that the program will begin a national search to find their successors. Dimel has a 5-27 record in three seasons in El Paso.