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 isn’t just a standard five-year deal; it includes a “pathway” to extend to 10 years. While Arizona law limits state school contracts to five years, sources have indicated that there are incentives in place that could stretch this agreement to a decade. This is a testament to the faith Arizona State has in Dillingham’s leadership and vision for the program.
The timing of this contract couldn’t be more perfect. Arizona State has just clinched the Big 12 title this season and is set to face Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Wednesday. This marks the school’s first outright conference title since 1996, a monumental achievement that has reignited the passion of Sun Devils fans everywhere.
But the contract is just one piece of the puzzle. The deal also comes with a commitment to expand the football program significantly. Next season, Arizona State will add 20 more football scholarships, increasing the roster size to 105. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to ensure the Sun Devils remain competitive at the highest levels of college football.
Moreover, the deal includes an increased commitment to staff, with Arizona State planning to be a full participant in revenue sharing. This is a clear indication of the school’s desire to stay at the top of the Big 12 and compete nationally. 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.”
Let’s talk numbers. Dillingham’s base salary currently places him among the lower tier of Big 12 coaches at $4.05 million. However, his performance this season has already earned him more than $2.5 million in bonuses, propelling him near the top of the league. And there’s more to come. With expected academic bonuses and potential wins in the College Football Playoff, Dillingham’s bonus number is expected to climb past $3 million later in the spring.
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. This new deal is expected to provide him with bonus money to distribute to staff at his discretion, ensuring that it doesn’t come from his own pocket.
Arizona State has also made significant investments in its football operations. In 2024, the program added more than 45% to its football operation budget compared to 2023. Additionally, the school proactively signed offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and defensive coordinator Brian Ward to new three-year contracts in late November, ensuring that its top staff talent remains intact. These deals will pay them an average of more than a million dollars 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, even though 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 this point is a story of passion and perseverance. A Scottsdale native and Arizona State 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.
Reflecting on his journey, Dillingham said earlier this week, “The fit is so important. 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’ remarkable turnaround to an 11-win season and a Big 12 championship has been one of the most inspiring stories in college football. Their league title has earned them a bye in the first round of the College Football Playoff, setting the stage for what could be an unforgettable postseason run.
Originally Written by: Pete Thamel
