Kenny Dillingham isn’t going anywhere - and Arizona State just made that official.
Amid a wild college football coaching carousel that had his name floating in the rumor mill, Dillingham put all the speculation to bed on Saturday morning by signing a contract extension that bumps his annual salary up to $7.5 million. That’s a big number, and it reflects just how much belief ASU has in the man leading their football program.
And it’s not hard to see why. In just three seasons at the helm, Dillingham has done more than just steady the ship - he’s engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent Sun Devil history. Under his watch, ASU climbed back into national relevance, capturing a Big 12 championship and earning a Peach Bowl appearance, all while reestablishing Tempe as a tough place to play and a tougher team to beat.
The 2024 season was the breakthrough. An 11-3 finish gave ASU its first 10-win campaign since 2014, its first conference title game appearance since 2013, and its first conference championship since 2007. That’s not just progress - that’s a program reboot.
But what really makes this extension stand out isn’t just Dillingham’s new salary - it’s the investment in the entire coaching infrastructure. ASU is upping its assistant coach salary pool to $11 million, a clear sign the university is serious about building something sustainable, not just chasing a one-year flash.
Dillingham made it clear that kind of support was a sticking point for him.
“What I was fighting for was that long-term commitment to our staff, to the program and to the commitment to try to be competitive in this crazy world,” he said following the announcement. “Our university has stepped up big time and they were going to step up this year as well.”
That’s the kind of quote that tells you this isn’t just a coach cashing in - it’s a coach trying to build something lasting. Dillingham has always called ASU "home" since taking over in 2022, and now the school is making sure he has the tools to turn that home into a powerhouse.
Athletic director Graham Rossini echoed that sentiment in his own statement, calling Dillingham “generational leadership” and making it clear this extension was about more than wins and losses.
“This was always the goal. Secure generational leadership right here at ASU,” Rossini said.
“We have the right coach and want him to have the tools to do his job in a way that keeps building excitement, connection and winning at ASU. Not only is the Valley activated, but the Sun Devils are about to ignite!”
That’s strong language from the top of the athletic department, and it reflects the energy surrounding the program right now. The Sun Devils have momentum, belief, and - maybe most importantly - stability.
With the contract situation now settled, Dillingham and his staff can turn their full attention to finishing the 2025 season on a high note. After an 8-4 regular season, ASU is headed to El Paso for a Sun Bowl showdown against ACC Champion Duke.
It’s a big opportunity to cap off another strong year and build even more momentum heading into 2026. But more than that, it’s a chance for Dillingham to keep showing the college football world that what’s happening in Tempe isn’t a fluke - it’s a foundation.
And now, with the university fully behind him, that foundation looks stronger than ever.