In a major commitment to its football future, Arizona State University has secured head coach Kenny Dillingham with a significant new contract. The deal, announced after Saturday's practice, aims to provide the resources Dillingham has long advocated for to build a consistently competitive program.
A Lucrative Long-Term Commitment
The university has signed Dillingham to a five-year contract extension that will raise his average annual salary to $7.5 million. Crucially, the agreement also increases the salary pool for his assistant coaches to $11 million, positioning it among the most substantial in the Big 12 conference. This move directly addresses Dillingham's public calls for greater investment in his staff.
"The support this season has stepped up a ton. Our university stepped up," Dillingham told reporters. He emphasized that his goal was always to secure a long-term commitment to the staff and program, enabling them to compete in the challenging landscape of modern college football.
Turning Down Rumors, Delivering Results
Dillingham's name had been linked to several high-profile coaching vacancies, including the recent opening at Michigan following Sherrone Moore's departure. The 35-year-old coach acknowledged using that external interest as leverage to push Arizona State for more support. However, after a win against West Virginia on November 15, he insisted he had no plans to leave Tempe.
His commitment has already paid historic dividends. After an injury-marred first season, Dillingham, the youngest FBS coach when hired at 32, led the Sun Devils to their first conference title since 1996 by winning the Big 12 championship. This triumph propelled Arizona State to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, which earlier earned him an extension bumping his salary to $5.8 million for the first year.
Building on a Revitalized Foundation
The 2024 season saw challenges, including key injuries to quarterback Sam Leavitt and All-American Jordyn Tyson. Despite this, Dillingham kept the team in contention for the Big 12 title game until the season's final stages. The Sun Devils finished the regular season 8-4, sold out every home game, and earned a spot in the Sun Bowl against Duke on December 31.
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini stated the extension secures "generational leadership" for the Sun Devils. "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," Rossini said.
With the new resources, Dillingham is focused on sustaining the momentum. "Our staff wins. I’ve said this over and over," Dillingham remarked. "Them and our players are what have got us to this point. They’re a vital piece and I think they deserve to be taken care of." This deal ensures they will be, as Arizona State bets big on its alum to keep the Sun Devils shining brightly.
