Report: Arizona State, Kenny Dillingham 'close' on contract extension

According to Chris Karpman of Sun Devil Source, Arizona State and head coach Kenny Dillingham are “close” on a new contract. This comes amid plenty of rumors surrounding Dillingham and other jobs across the country. If this gets across the finish line, it’s a huge boost for the Sun Devils and the program’s future.

“BREAKING: Kenny Dillingham and Arizona State are ‘close’ to reaching an agreement on contract amendments that would increase his annual base compensation,” Karpman said via X.

The school most connected to Dillingham in recent days is Michigan. Sherrone Moore was fired by the Wolverines earlier this week, sending the coaching search into quick action. Dillingham has been linked alongside Alabama‘s Kalen DeBoer, among others. Getting new terms on his contract would seemingly cross Dillingham’s name off in Ann Arbor.

SEC programs were also reportedly interested in Dillingham earlier in the process. Of course, nothing came to fruition. Dillingham was spotted 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.

More on Kenny Dillingham, success at Arizona State

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.

Winning the Sun Bowl would bring Arizona State’s win total for the season up to nine, giving them 20 combined victories over the past two years. In the previous four, the Sun Devils only had 16 wins — Dillingham’s first season and the final three years of the Herm Edwards regime.