Arizona State’s Bold Move: Dillingham’s New Contract and the Future of Sun Devils Football
In a move that has sent ripples through the college football world, Arizona State and their head football coach, Kenny Dillingham, have agreed to a groundbreaking new five-year contract. This deal, as sources revealed to ESPN on Tuesday, places Dillingham among the top tier of Big 12 coaching salaries, a significant leap for the young coach.
Now, let’s dive into the details of this exciting development. Dillingham’s contract is not just a standard five-year deal. It includes a “pathway” to extend to 10 years, a clever workaround given that Arizona law limits state school contracts to five years. Sources indicate that incentives are built into the contract to potentially extend it to a decade, showcasing Arizona State’s commitment to their football program.
This new agreement comes on the heels of Arizona State’s remarkable season, where they clinched the Big 12 title and are set to face Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. This marks the school’s first outright conference title since 1996, a testament to Dillingham’s leadership and vision.
But the contract is just one part of a broader commitment to football at Arizona State. The school plans to add 20 more football scholarships next season, expanding the roster to 105 players. Additionally, there’s an increased commitment to staff, and ASU aims to be a full participant in revenue sharing, according to sources.
Arizona State’s rise to the top of the Big 12 is nothing short of extraordinary. They were picked last, No. 16 overall, in the preseason poll. This significant commitment to Dillingham and the program underscores the school’s desire to remain a dominant force in the Big 12.
As one source with knowledge of the deal put it, “We are in the national conversation. We want to be committed to give our program the resources to stay in the national conversation and compete nationally for the best coaching talent and recruit the talent to compete at the highest level.”
Currently, Dillingham’s base salary is $4.05 million, placing him among the lower tier of Big 12 coaches. However, his success this season has already earned him more than $2.5 million in bonuses, elevating him near the top of the league. With expected academic bonuses and potential wins in the CFP, that bonus number is anticipated to climb past $3 million.
In a heartwarming gesture, Dillingham famously gave away one of his bonuses—$200,000 for ASU’s ninth win—to members of the support staff. The new deal is expected to provide him with bonus money to distribute to staff at his discretion, ensuring it doesn’t come from his own pocket.
Arizona State has also made significant investments in their football operations. In 2024, they increased the football operation budget by more than 45% compared to 2023. The program proactively signed offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and defensive coordinator Brian Ward to new three-year contracts in late November, ensuring top staff talent remains intact. These deals will pay them an average of more than a million annually, placing them in the high end for Big 12 coordinator pay.
To put things in perspective, in 2024, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy’s $7.75 million salary led all Big 12 coaches, but he ended up taking a pay cut after going winless in league play. Dillingham’s new base salary is expected to be in the top echelon of the league, with significant incentives for bonuses.
Dillingham’s journey to Arizona State is a story of dreams realized. A Scottsdale native and ASU graduate, he has long considered the school his dream job. His career path, which included stops at Memphis, Auburn, Florida State, and Oregon, was always aimed at returning to ASU as head coach.
“The fit is so important,” Dillingham said earlier this week. “And me understanding the place here, I think it helped the fit and helped the transition because I just understand what the school and the city is about, and you’re recruiting to the school. So you want people who understand that like you understand it. I think my knowledge of the place definitely helped.”
Dillingham’s first year at ASU in 2023 was a challenging one, with the team finishing 3-9. However, the Sun Devils’ turnaround to an 11-win season and Big 12 championship has been one of the most remarkable stories in college football. Their league title earned them a bye in the first round of the College Football Playoff, setting the stage for what could be an even more exciting future.
Originally Written by: Pete Thamel
