As Michigan football looks to turn the page and begin a new chapter following Sherrone Moore’s departure, all eyes are on Warde Manuel and the looming head coaching decision. One name continues to surface in conversations around Ann Arbor - Kenny Dillingham.
Dillingham, currently at the helm of Arizona State, has been mentioned more than once as a top candidate for the Michigan job. And while he’s made no definitive moves, the door hasn’t exactly been closed either. That’s kept the speculation alive - and for good reason.
Let’s be clear: Dillingham is a rising star in the coaching ranks. He’s young, innovative, and has already shown he can develop talent in difficult environments. But that’s also part of the issue - Arizona State isn’t exactly flush with resources, and the Sun Devils are constantly fighting to keep their best players from being lured away by bigger programs with deeper pockets.
Case in point: quarterback Sam Leavitt. Dillingham helped mold Leavitt into a potential first-round NFL talent, but now Leavitt is hitting the transfer portal.
And it’s not because of coaching - it’s because Arizona State simply can’t match the kind of NIL offers or long-term program stability that other schools can provide. That’s the harsh reality of today’s college football landscape.
At Michigan, that wouldn’t be a problem.
The Wolverines offer a national brand, elite facilities, a massive alumni network, and the kind of NIL infrastructure that helps keep top-tier talent in-house. If Dillingham were to take the job, he wouldn’t be stuck fighting an uphill battle every offseason just to retain the players he developed. He’d be in a position to build something sustainable - and potentially championship-caliber.
That’s what makes this decision so intriguing.
Dillingham has spoken openly about his love for Tempe and the value of being close to family. That’s not nothing.
Coaches are human, and lifestyle matters. But if Michigan comes to the table with a compelling offer - and by all indications, they’re serious about making a splash - it’s hard to ignore what’s at stake here.
This isn’t just about a bigger paycheck or a more prestigious title. It’s about opportunity.
At Michigan, Dillingham would be walking into a program with the infrastructure to compete for national titles right away. He wouldn’t have to build from the ground up - he’d be taking over a machine that’s already humming.
Several analysts believe he’d be a home-run hire for the Wolverines - and it’s not hard to see why. He’s got the offensive mind, the recruiting chops, and the energy to connect with players in today’s game. Pair that with the resources Michigan can offer, and it’s a recipe for long-term success.
Now, the ball’s in Dillingham’s court. Stay loyal to Tempe and keep grinding against the odds? Or make the leap to Ann Arbor and step into one of the biggest jobs in college football?
We’ll find out soon enough. But if Michigan is serious about making a bold move, Dillingham might just be the right guy at the right time.