Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham led the Sun Devils to an 8-4 record during the regular season. Despite not repeating last season’s heroics of clinching a berth in the College Football Playoff, the Sun Devils will face off against ACC champions, the Duke Blue Devils, in the Sun Bowl on December 31.
In the past few days, Dillingham’s name has been increasingly linked to the Michigan job that fell vacant when the Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore with cause on Wednesday.
Kenny Dillingham’s Job Claims Dismissed by Analyst
During Sunday’s segment of the “Ruffino & Joe Show,” analyst Blake Ruffino suggested that, despite revealing that he hadn’t talked to other programs amid links to Michigan, Dillingham had in fact interviewed for other jobs.
“This Michigan job gets a little interesting,” Ruffino said. “In reference to Kalen DeBoer, you just don’t leave Bama. In reference to Kenny Dillingham, which this hasn’t really gone anywhere. I don’t know which stunts Dillingham’s trying to pull here. But he keeps telling people that he hasn’t talked to other programs.
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“That ain’t true. He’s probably trying to put pressure on Arizona State to do what they just did. Help him more on NIL, give him the contract extension, more money for staff and things like that. Buddy, you were interviewing for jobs, don’t say that you weren’t.”
Dillingham and Alabama Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer, who also dismissed links to the Michigan job, have been the highest-profile names linked to the Wolverines so far. Dillingham signed a contract extension last year through 2029.
Dillingham Reaffirms Commitment to ASU
While speaking to reporters on Saturday, Dillingham held back tears as he reaffirmed his commitment to the program due to his family’s ties to the area while dismissing links to the Wolverines’ job.
“I love this place,” Dillingham said. “This place is just, it’s a special place to me. I know where I stand. I know what I want. As a leader, it’s my job to take care of groups of people and to do right by groups of people. Not just (myself)”.
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“That doesn’t change how I feel about here. That doesn’t change that my sister is my next-door neighbor. That doesn’t change that my parents live three doors down. That doesn’t change that my son’s best friend is my sister’s daughter. It is one of the best jobs in the country because of the brand. It’s going to be a good opportunity for somebody.”
Under Dillingham, the Sun Devils are 22-16 since he took the job in 2023. He has led Arizona State to one Big 12 championship and was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year last season.
