Kenny Dillingham has done the impossible in Tempe. After a brutal 3-9 start in 2023, he transformed Arizona State into a powerhouse, racking up 19 wins over the next two years and delivering a Big 12 title. But that rapid ascent has drawn the eyes of college football’s giants.
With the Michigan job open following the Sherrone Moore situation, Sun Devil faithful are sweating. Is the man who rebuilt their program about to leave for Ann Arbor?
What Did ASU’s AD Say About Kenny Dillingham’s Future?
The turnaround has been stunning. Dillingham earned patience after that rough debut season, then rewarded it with a College Football Playoff appearance. But now, the Wolverines need a head coach, and Dillingham is reportedly on their list.
Graham Rossini, Arizona State’s athletic director, addressed the panic directly. He joined the “Burns and Gambo” radio show to discuss his thoughts on keeping the coach and AD together.
“I’m one of the many thousands who agree that Kenny Dillingham is the right leader for our program. Leadership matters. We have tremendous leadership in place under Coach… We’re working through it. We’re working through some details. It’s an exciting moment for our program.”
That phrase “working through it” stands out. While Rossini didn’t give a definitive “he’s staying,” it sounds like the school and coach are negotiating an extension to keep him home.
Can Arizona State Match Michigan’s Financial Power?
Money talks in college football, and Dillingham has already seen his stock rise. In January, he signed a one-year extension through 2029 that bumped his salary from $4.1 million to $5.8 million.
That deal included performance incentives that added years to the contract for hitting six wins and a bowl invite. The CFP bonuses are significant, too:
- $50,000 for non-CFP bowl appearances
- 1 month of annual salary for a non-CFP bowl game win
- $2 million for CFP appearance
- $2.5 million for a CFP quarterfinal win
- $3 million for a CFP semifinal win
- $4 million for the CFP championship
Those figures are massive for Arizona State, but Michigan operates in a different financial stratosphere. If the Wolverines decide to open the checkbook, they could likely offer a package that makes ASU’s numbers look small.
Despite the overall success, the 2025 campaign wasn’t flawless. Dillingham’s squad finished 8-4, and the high-powered offense that put him on the map hit some speed bumps. They finished 67th in the FBS according to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
Personnel issues played a huge role in that dip. Quarterback Sam Leavitt missed a major chunk of the season with a leg injury and eventually entered the transfer portal. Even with those headaches, Rossini believes the program has done enough to keep Dillingham in Tempe. Now, everyone waits to see if Michigan makes an offer he can’t refuse.
