Kenny Dillingham claims he has not spoken to Michigan during Wolverines coaching search

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham said he has not spoken to Michigan about the school’s head coaching vacancy. Dillingham is considered a candidate for the Wolverines after the firing of Sherrone Moore.

Dillingham is reportedly close on a contract extension with Arizona State, according to Chris Karpman of Sun Devil Source. However, the coach did not confirm nor deny that report Saturday.

“Yeah I know they sent my agent one after the last game at some point,” Dillingham said. “That was the week I had about a billion and a half meetings. So, I’m not really involved in that, I coach football.”

For what it’s worth, Dillingham later got emotional thinking about how special Arizona State was for him and his family. He said it was a joy to coach football at the school and be around special people.

“This place is just special,” Dillingham said. “I think it’s a testament to what the President’s done with the AD has done, the city selling out, the kids who chose to come back here when they’re could’ve gone to other places. So I think it’s a testament to everybody. I know every coach says that in this scenario, but it actually is, but it’s testament to everybody.

“And when you’re the leader of a group of people, you’re not making individual decisions, you’re making group decisions. You’re making group thought. And I think for me, you know, I know where I stand, I know what I want, and you know, as leader of a group, it’s my job to take care of groups of people and to do right by groups of people. Not just (for) Kenny Dillingham.”

SEC programs were also reportedly interested in Dillingham earlier in the process. Of course, nothing came to fruition. Dillingham was on the practice field in Tempe on Saturday afternoon as the team prepares for the Sun Bowl against the ACC Champions, the Duke Blue Devils.

Arizona State is fresh off an 8-4 regular season, one filled with injuries. Three of those losses came during Big 12 play. Dillingham took his team on the road to Starkville early in the year, only to lose to Mississippi State. Overall, still a campaign the Sun Devils can be proud of. Especially if they can once again build on it heading into 2026 with Dillingham.

Dillingham is a wanted man because of the success he has put together at Arizona State in such a short period. Everyone remembers the run they went on in 2024, winning a chaotic Big 12 and making some noise in the College Football Playoff. Arizona State was one 4th and 13 stop in overtime away from advancing to the quarterfinals.

Not too long ago, the Sun Devils were in a tough spot due to NCAA sanctions. A bowl ban even came just days before the 2023 season was supposed to begin. Still, Dillingham found a way to build Arizona State up and turn them into a competitive team.