Kenny Dillingham signs new contract with Arizona State

Arizona State is finalizing a new contract with head football coach Kenny Dillingham, sources tell On3. The 35-year-old head coach has been tied to the Michigan opening over the last week.

Dillingham signed a new five-year deal a year ago, but sources have told On3 that this new agreement includes a significant commitment to resources, specifically on roster payroll and assistant coach salary pool.

Specifically, the staff salary pool is up to $11 million, which puts it near the top of the Big 12. His new contract will average $7.5 million over the course of the deal

The Sun Devils are 22–16 in three seasons under Dillingham, set to play in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 against Duke. Arizona State finished the 2025 regular season 8-4, with starting quarterback Sam Leavitt missing five games due to injury.

Arizona State won the Big 12 title outright for the first time since 1996 in 2024, with Dillingham taking the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The Sun Devils won the Big 12 after being picked last in the preseason poll.

In an interview on local Tempe radio this week, Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini characterized the negotiations with Dillingham as: “A fluid, active conversation.”

“We’re working through it, he said. “We’re working through some details. It’s an exciting moment for our program. We’ve got tremendous leadership in place under Coach (Dillingham). Kenny Dillingham is the right leader for our program.”

In the wake of Michigan firing Sherrone Moore for cause, Dillingham was tied to the opening and was emotional when talking about Arizona State. It’s where his entire family is, and he’s an Arizona State graduate.

“I love this place,” Dillingham said earlier this week. “That doesn’t change how I feel about here. That doesn’t change that my sister’s my neighbor. That doesn’t change that my parents live three doors down. … [Michigan] is one of the best jobs in America, it’s an unbelievable brand, an iconic brand, so a great opportunity for somebody.”