Kenny Dillingham’s tenure as Arizona State’s head coach has been a game-changer. Despite initial struggles, he led the Sun Devils to a dominant 2024 season, securing the Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. ASU’s gamble on Dillingham paid off, prompting the university to reward him with a five-year contract extension.
His new deal, among the most lucrative in the Big 12, includes performance-based incentives and potential extensions. ASU’s unwavering support for Dillingham signals a long-term commitment to football excellence.
Inside ASU’s Football Bet and Revival Under Kenny Dillingham
When Arizona State University hired Kenny Dillingham as head coach in late 2022, it was a decision that carried significant risk. Dillingham, a former ASU graduate and rising coaching talent, had never led a program before. His previous role as Oregon’s offensive coordinator showcased his offensive acumen, but entrusting him with an entire program was a gamble.
The Arizona State football team selected a coach familiar to the region because leadership experts believed this affiliation would produce positive change. ASU finished the 2023 season with a losing record of 3-9, which led to further questions about their betting choice.
Adam Breneman, a former ASU staff member, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Dillingham’s hire.
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“There were a lot of other coaches on the market at the time that would have been much easier to hire, that would have been much safer of hires,” Breneman said. “But making the safe hire doesn’t ever become a legendary hire.”
ASU needed a new direction after the Herm Edwards era, and Dillingham’s deep-rooted passion for the program made him an appealing candidate.
“Kenny grew up dreaming of becoming the head coach of Arizona State,” Breneman explained. “So making the risky hire, when it pays off, it pays off really well.”
Dillingham wasted no time reshaping the program. He avoided chasing star recruits who didn’t fit his system, instead focusing on players aligned with his vision. The results were staggering. ASU, initially projected to finish last in the Big 12, stormed to an 11-2 record, won the conference championship, and earned a College Football Playoff berth.
The roster overhaul was extensive, with 60 newcomers—46 on scholarship—arriving through high school recruiting and the transfer portal. Eight key starters, including quarterback Sam Leavitt, were transfer additions.
A rebuild of this scale typically takes years, but Dillingham’s aggressive approach accelerated the process.
“With how fast the coaching cycles move nowadays, I think more programs should make risky hires,” Breneman noted. “Because if it doesn’t work, you fire a coach in a year or two… but if it does work with a coach like Kenny Dillingham, it’s a home run.”
KEEP READING: ‘Not Why They’re Here’ — Kenny Dillingham Expresses Family Over NIL for Arizona State’s Success
ASU’s bold decision paid off in historic fashion, turning what once seemed like a risky bet into a program-defining success.
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