Before we talk about firing a coach, here is one side of the story:
1.) Player A enters the transfer portal and immeditately started getting followed by big time programs.
2.) Player B plays the same position as Player A. Player B see's the immediate recruiting attention that player A got and thinks he can get at least half of that attention. He then enters the portal WITHOUT much consultation with the coaching staff in advance.
3.) The coaching staff then goes out and works to fill the hole left by players A & B. They sign a JC player late who plays the same position as players A & B. They then also make offers to multiple other players who also play the same position.
4.) Player B then publicly announces that he is returning, but again WITHOUT much consultation with the coaching staff.
5.) Coach who has been working to fill the void and has been sending out new offers to new players, reply's with "????" and confused emoji face.
Additionally, a number of people on this board started listing the transfer portal as an additional reason to fire Dimel right after Cowing and Smith entered. As of 10:30am on 1/8/22(because we never know what these kids will do tomorrow), UTEP has actually had one of the better retention successes with regard to the portal. There are two more expected to enter, but there hasn't been the mass exit that would indicate a major problem within the program.