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Kenny Dillingham emphatically states he was 'never leaving' Ariziona State

Danby: Daniel Hager7 hours agoDanielHagerOn3
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© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Arizona State clinched its second consecutive seven-win season Saturday afternoon with a 25-23 win over West Virginia in Tempe. The Sun Devils led 22-10 heading into the fourth quarter, but allowed back-to-back touchdowns to the Mountaineers to fall behind 23-22 with six minutes remaining.

Kicker Jesus Gomez however drilled a 49-yard field goal with 2:44 remaining to put ASU back on top, and a game-winning interception with 1:30 remaining sealed with win for the Sun Devils.

Following the game, head coach Kenny Dillingham emphatically stated that he was never leaving the program amidst rumors that he was looking elsewhere to continue his coaching career.

“We met on Friday with our admin and people who represent (President Dr. Michael) Crowe and I have a lot of confidence that they’re all in,” Dillingham said. “I have a lot of confidence in our administration. They’re pushing the chips to the middle of the table on winning in football here. You know, the conversations we have, I think everyone needs to understand this University is supporting football. This University is really doubling down on what we’re doing right now, and that’s such a relief.”

“For me, I just want to be able to push this place to its limit. Sometimes if I can do some things people don’t like, it’s not my job to be liked. I never came in here in a press conference and said ‘i want to be liked.’ I want to activate the Valley, I want to win games, I want to get this program better. Sometimes, that is ruffling feathers and it is what it is. I know this. I know our University is behind us and behind this program. They’re behind winning games, and I can say that with a lot of confidence that they’re gonna support this place at a level that can win and compete in the Big 12.”

Dillingham was then asked if Arizona State‘s investment into the program meant he wasn’t leaving. The 2024 Big 12 Coach of the Year responded with a quick quip.

“I was never leaving Greg,” Dillingham said with a chuckle. “Contrary to the betrayal article, I was never leaving. I never said I was leaving. This is home. You do have to continue to push, and my job running the program is to push and push and push until you can’t push anymore.”

“If I didn’t do that, I’d be cheating my players, my staff, my fanbase, everybody in the city, and the local business that feed off of us winning. When we win, they sell more beer. I’d be cheating everybody. So, my number one goal always is to do whatever I can to push the envelope for Arizona State football.”