This college football offseason has been anything but quiet-and just when it felt like the carousel had finally slowed down, Michigan hit the reset button by firing Sherrone Moore. That move sent shockwaves through the coaching landscape and reignited speculation around one name that keeps coming up: Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham.
Dillingham has been a rising figure in the coaching world for a while now. When the first wave of coaching changes hit, his name was floated for several jobs.
But he made it clear-publicly and repeatedly-that he wasn’t looking to leave Tempe. Dillingham is an Arizona State alum, and he’s been open about how much the program means to him.
Loyalty, in his case, hasn’t just been lip service.
But now Michigan is in the mix, and things are getting a little more complicated.
Dillingham’s Dilemma: Loyalty vs. Opportunity
As Michigan searches for its next head coach, Dillingham’s name is once again circulating. And while he’s maintained that he hasn’t spoken with Michigan, he did call it “one of the best jobs in the country.” That’s a strong statement-especially when you’re still waiting on a contract extension from your current school.
Here’s the reality: Arizona State is in a tough spot right now. The Transfer Portal has not been kind to the Sun Devils this offseason.
Star quarterback Sam Leavitt-widely considered the top player currently in the portal-is on his way out. And he’s not alone.
Starting offensive tackle Josh Atkins and standout cornerback Javan Robinson are also leaving the program.
Losing your starting quarterback is one thing. Losing your top lineman and a defensive playmaker in the same offseason? That’s a gut punch for any coach trying to build something sustainable.
NIL Era: The Great Divider
This is where the modern landscape of college football really starts to show its teeth. NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money is changing everything-from recruiting to retention-and Arizona State is clearly feeling the squeeze.
Take Michigan, for example. The Wolverines just landed Bryce Underwood, a high school quarterback, with a massive NIL deal.
He hasn’t played a down of college football yet, but the investment speaks volumes about the kind of financial muscle Michigan can flex. Meanwhile, Arizona State is watching a proven talent like Sam Leavitt walk out the door because they simply can’t compete at that level.
It’s not about Dillingham’s salary-at least not entirely. The bigger question is whether Arizona State can give him the tools to build and retain a competitive roster.
In this era, coaching isn’t just about X’s and O’s anymore. It’s about NIL strategy, roster management, and institutional backing.
What Comes Next?
There are a few ways to read Dillingham’s situation. Maybe he’s just waiting until the season wraps up to finalize an extension. That would make sense-coaches often put those negotiations on the back burner during the grind of the season.
But the longer this drags on, the more it feels like Dillingham is weighing something bigger. Not just his own future, but the future of the program he’s trying to build. And that starts with asking a tough question: Can Arizona State give him what he needs to compete in today’s college football arms race?
Every day that passes without Michigan naming a new head coach-or without Dillingham putting pen to paper in Tempe-keeps this story alive. And it’s a story that speaks to the bigger picture of where the sport is heading.
In the past, a young coach like Dillingham could stay put, build a program brick by brick, and hope the results would follow. But in 2025, loyalty alone doesn’t build rosters.
Resources do. And right now, Arizona State is playing catch-up in a game that’s moving faster than ever.