Arizona State University spent the last three seasons working under head coach Kenny Dillingham, and more are on the way. Dillingham has received a contract extension to return to Arizona. However, rumors swirled that Dillingham might join Michigan to replace Sherrone Moore.
Dillingham squashed the rumors in a statement, according to Fox10 reporter Blake Niemann, on X via On3.
“I never got offered a job. None of that ever, ever happened, and it never got to that point,” Dillingham said. “Michigan’s an unbelievable job with unlimited resources, with people who will do whatever they can to make it successful, who want to see it succeed. Somebody’s going to get an unbelievable opportunity … to take over one of the best programs in the country, who are resourced as one of the best programs in the country with one of the best rosters in the country.”
NEW: Kenny Dillingham confirmed that Michigan never offered him the head coaching job:
“I never got offered a job. None of that ever, ever happened, and it never got to that point. Michigan’s an unbelievable job with unlimited resources, with people who will do whatever they… https://t.co/b0FfDRXg46 pic.twitter.com/upYoedas0o
— On3 (@On3sports) December 20, 2025
Dillingham started his run with the Arizona State Sun Devils as the team’s head coach with a 2-7 record in 2023. However, he turned things around in 2024, wasting no time getting to an 11-3 record. In 2025, Dillingham’s team took a step back to an 8-4 record. Now, it appears that Dillingham will bounce back to help the team return to his second-year surge.
Kenny Dillingham Left Hanging As ASU QB Announces Exit
If Kenny Dillingham is slated to continue as Arizona State University’s head coach, he will need to find a way forward with a new quarterback under center. According to an ESPN Dec. 9 report, ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt has informed Dillingham that he intends to use the transfer portal.
Leavitt threw for 24 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024 in 13 games, but saw his production decline in 2025. Leavitt saw his completion percentage fall in 2025 to 60.7% from 61.7%. He also saw his touchdown-interception ratio slip to 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Other quarterbacks that were on the roster in 2025 were Cameron Dyer, Christian Hunt, Jeff Sims, and Michael Tollefson. Not all of them are likely to continue on the roster in 2026, leaving Dillingham with two choices: he can either look to his current roster or attempt to recruit someone outside the roster.
Keep Reading: Sam Leavitt NIL: How Much Are Arizona State’s QB NIL Deals Worth?
Jeff Sims saw action in 2025 to the tune of 78 completions on 150 attempts, recording 886 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. It might get him into the quarterback competition in 2026, but Dillingham might need to add to the quarterback room that is set to lose Leavitt after 20 games with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
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