Kenny Dillingham’s Future at Arizona State: Loyalty, Opportunity, and the Michigan Rumors Swirling
Kenny Dillingham has never hidden how much Arizona State means to him. He played there, he grew up around the program, and when he took the head coaching job, he called it his “dream job.” But with the University of Michigan now reportedly showing interest, the Sun Devils’ head coach is suddenly at the center of one of the most intriguing coaching storylines of the offseason.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the search firm leading Michigan’s head coaching hunt reached out to Dillingham’s camp. That alone was enough to send shockwaves through Tempe. Since then, the speculation has only intensified, and Sun Devils fans are understandably anxious.
When asked directly about the rumors and the growing concern among ASU supporters, Dillingham didn’t exactly slam the door shut. His response was heartfelt, but also left plenty of room for interpretation.
“I think my job is to try to do whatever I can for the people who are with me, right. The people that are in the foxhole, the coaches that are in the foxhole with me,” Dillingham said.
“I gotta do whatever I can to fight for those people, for my family, for everything from that perspective. I love it here, I’ve said it since day one.
That’s absolutely never changing, absolutely never changing.”
It’s a statement that speaks to Dillingham’s values-loyalty, relationships, and commitment-but it doesn’t quite eliminate the possibility of a move. And that’s where things get interesting.
Let’s talk about the reality Dillingham is facing. He’s currently pulling in a base salary of $5.8 million at ASU.
That’s a strong number, but Michigan, with its national brand and deep pockets, could easily up the ante. Beyond salary, there’s also the matter of resources-specifically, NIL support.
Arizona State is still playing catch-up in that department. The program has already lost key players to the transfer portal, including quarterback Sam Leavitt, and it’s clear that without a significant boost in NIL infrastructure, retaining and attracting top-tier talent will remain a challenge.
This isn’t just about money-it’s about competitiveness. If ASU wants to get back to the College Football Playoff, which they reached last season, they’ll need more than just a good coach.
They’ll need a serious investment in player development, staff retention, and recruiting. Without that, even a coach as committed as Dillingham might have to weigh his options.
Michigan, meanwhile, offers a very different landscape. The Wolverines are a perennial contender with the kind of institutional backing that can help a coach chase national titles. If Dillingham’s dream is to win it all-and let’s be honest, that’s the dream for any coach-then the Michigan job may be too big to pass up.
So where does that leave Arizona State? In a bit of limbo.
Dillingham’s love for the program is real, and his comments suggest he’s not looking for a quick exit. But in today’s college football world, where NIL, facilities, and recruiting budgets can swing the balance of power, passion alone might not be enough.
For now, Dillingham remains the face of the Sun Devils. But until Michigan makes a hire-and until Arizona State shows it’s ready to match the ambition of its head coach-the speculation isn’t going anywhere.