Kenny Dillingham is staying home-and making a statement in the process.
Amid swirling rumors and a high-profile vacancy at Michigan, Dillingham has reaffirmed his commitment to Arizona State, agreeing to a new five-year deal worth $7.5 million annually, with a robust $11 million salary pool for his staff. The contract, which includes incentives that could stretch it out to 10 years, is pending board approval. But make no mistake: this is a big-time move by both Dillingham and Arizona State.
It’s not just about the money-it’s about the momentum.
Dillingham, still just a few years into his head coaching career, has quickly become one of the hottest names in college football. Last season, he engineered a remarkable turnaround in Tempe, taking a Sun Devils team that won just three games the year before and transforming them into Big 12 champions with 11 wins. Arizona State didn’t just win games-they pushed Texas to the brink in the College Football Playoff, showing they belonged on the national stage.
That kind of leap doesn’t go unnoticed. With coaching carousels spinning across the country, Dillingham’s name was mentioned alongside some of the most prestigious programs in the sport.
As top jobs at Florida, LSU, and Penn State were filled, he stayed put. And when Michigan opened up following the dismissal of Sherrone Moore, Dillingham was once again front and center in the speculation.
Outside of Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, he was the name most often linked to the Wolverines.
But Saturday’s decision sends a clear message: Dillingham is building something in Tempe, and he’s not done yet.
This isn’t just a win for Arizona State-it’s a signal that the program is serious about competing at the highest level. Retaining a coach of Dillingham’s caliber, especially in the face of interest from college football’s blue bloods, is no small feat.
It also shows the school is willing to invest, not just in its head coach, but in the infrastructure around him. That $11 million salary pool for assistants is a major commitment to continuity and competitiveness.
Dillingham’s coaching résumé is already impressive. Before returning to his alma mater, he served as offensive coordinator at Oregon, Florida State, Auburn, and Memphis-rising quickly through the ranks thanks to his sharp offensive mind and ability to develop quarterbacks. While he hasn’t coached in the Big Ten or the Midwest, his results speak for themselves.
His current record at ASU stands at 22-16, including an 8-4 mark this season despite battling through a rash of injuries-most notably to quarterback Sam Leavitt, who was limited to just seven games. Even with those setbacks, the Sun Devils kept winning, and now they’re headed to the Sun Bowl on December 31 to face ACC champion Duke.
This extension locks in one of the sport’s rising stars and gives Arizona State a chance to keep climbing. For Dillingham, it’s a chance to finish what he started. For the Sun Devils, it’s a sign that the future is bright-and that the rest of the Big 12 better be ready.