UTEP hired Dana Dimel because of his reputation as a program builder. He helped Bill Snyder ressurect Kansas State twice. He built foundations at Wyoming and Houston as a head coach. Dimel took over a UTEP program prior to the 2018 season that went winless the year before. The Miners won just one game in each of 2018 and 2019 before momentum began to turn. That momentum was crushed by COVID-19, forcing the Miners to push bowl hopes into the 2021 season. UTEP reached that milestone in a seven-win season. The new challenge in El Paso is maintaining those expectations on a yearly basis. 

1. Who steps up at wide receiver? 

The departures of Jacob Cowing (transfer to Arizona) and Justin Garrett (graduation) leaves a big hole in the UTEP offense. The duo combined for 59.5 percent of UTEP’s receptions in 2021, as well as 62.2 percent of its receiving yards and 57.8 percent of its receiving touchdowns. Dimel and the UTEP staff know that one person is unlikely to fill the void. The Miners must rely on a stable of young, relatively unproven prospects to help Gavin Hardison top 3,000 yards passing for the second consecutive season. 

“It is hard to replace (Cowing) and (Garrett) because they were great player and great people who were huge parts of our football team,” Dimel said. “It won’t be easy, but we’ve done it by mass. We’ve brought in a bunch of receivers, and we redshirted three good receivers last year.” 

The leading candidate to take the no. 1 receiver spot is Tywin Smith. He was the third-leading receiver for the Miners in 2021. He entered his name into the transfer portal but returned for spring ball. Tyler JC transfer Kelly Akharaiyi earned rave reviews during my visit to El Paso. The staff believes Jeremiah Ballard, Josh Farr, and Jostein Clark are poised for breakout seasons. The tight ends might be used more to help supplement the passing game with Trent Thompson coming on late in the 2021 season. 

2. Is a bowl game the new floor or still the ceiling? 

The Miners reached a bowl game for the first time since 2014 during a 7-6 2021 season. It was an impressive accomplishment considering UTEP was winless in 2017, the year before Dimel took over the program. UTEP won one game in 2018 and 2019, and the 2020 season was ruined due to the pandemic. The 2021 season proved that UTEP can still compete within Conference USA. Reaching a bowl game again in 2022 would be historic for this UTEP program. The Miners haven’t gone to consecutive bowls since 2004-05. It’s an accomplishment that’s only been done twice in UTEP’s history. 

Expectations remain high in El Paso. The Miners return a star quarterback, both of its leading running backs, and the core to their offensive line. The defensive unit should be even better in 2022 thanks to a talented defensive line, a productive linebacker duo, and depth at safety. The only real concerns are at wide receiver and cornerback. Reaching six wins isn’t a given, but it should be the new expectation at UTEP. That’s a testament to the job done by Dimel and his staff. 

3. Can UTEP handle expectations? 

Most coaches and players freely admit that climbing the mountain is much easier than remaining on top. UTEP was chasing a clear and defined goal in 2021: Win at least six games and reach a bowl game for the first time in Dimel’s tenure. With that accomplishment reached, the Miners must reset goals and expectations. That can be challenging at a program that’s not used to yearly success. 

“I’m always concerned about handling prosperity,” Dimel admitted. “I’m guarded against that and a keen I to make sure no one starts slipping.”