Kenny Dillingham returned to Arizona State as an alum with a mission: rebuild the Sun Devils into a consistent winner and a future College Football Playoff contender. In their first year in the Big 12 Arizona State made the playoffs. But the fans were not as excited about the Sun Devils making the CFP Playoffs as Dillingham.
His passion is unmistakable. He speaks openly about elevating the program, energizing the Valley, and restoring pride in Tempe. But a fair question is emerging—does Dillingham care more about ASU football than many of its own fans and boosters?
Mountain America Stadium seats 54,000 and attendance has improved, but it remains inconsistent. In 2023, ASU recorded two sellouts, against USC and Colorado. In 2024, the Sun Devils had at least one confirmed sellout, a packed house for Kansas vs. ASU. The real surge came in 2025, when ASU sold out its first five home games, with Homecoming also officially sold out. Fan excitement is growing, but the question lingers: is it growing fast enough to match the ambition of the coach trying to drag the program into national relevance?
Michigan Has Dillingham on Its Shortlist
According to multiple national outlets—including CBS Sports, FOX Sports, USA Today, On3, and Phoenix‑area media—Michigan has placed Kenny Dillingham on its shortlist of potential candidates for its next head coach. And why wouldn’t they? He’s young, innovative, charismatic, and has proven he can rebuild a program from the ground up.
Michigan offers what few programs can match:
- The Big House, with 105,000 fans every Saturday
- Big Ten membership and national exposure
- A massive donor base
- A football‑first culture that expects championships
For a coach who thrives on energy, passion, and commitment, the pull of Ann Arbor is real.
For Dillingham to Stay, ASU Must Match His Passion
Reports indicate that Arizona State is preparing a contract extension to keep Dillingham in Tempe. But money alone won’t be the deciding factor. This will come down to whether ASU fans and boosters care as much as he does.
Michigan can promise a sold‑out stadium every week, national TV windows, and a fan base that treats football like religion. ASU, meanwhile, is still building that culture. The 2025 sellout streak shows progress, but sustaining it is the real test.
In the end, Dillingham’s decision may hinge on one question: Does Arizona State care about football at the same level he does?
If the answer becomes “yes,” ASU has a real chance to keep its hometown coach. If not, the pull of the Big House may be too strong to resist.
