Kenny Dillingham: Michigan being a premier job ‘doesn’t change how I feel about’ ASU

TEMPE — Thirty seconds of silence.

“Was that a long enough pause?” as Kenny Dillingham broke the silence, emotional after beginning an answer to why he’s staying loyal to Arizona State with “I love this place.”

"It's a special place to me."

Kenny Dillingham visibly emotional when describing how much ASU means to him amid rumors he’s a candidate for the Michigan opening. pic.twitter.com/XxHLzydixV

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 13, 2025

It was reported on Saturday that Dillingham and ASU were nearing an amended contract agreement that would raise his base compensation in the wake of Michigan interest.

“They sent my agent (a new contract proposal) after the last game at some point,” Dillingham said. “I’m not really involved in (negotiations), that’s kind of my team. I coach football.”

He said it was “cool, I guess” to be targeted by Michigan and called it one of college football’s best jobs.

“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, that doesn’t change that my son’s best friend is my sister’s daughter.

“None of that changes, but it is one of the best jobs in America. It’s an unbelievable brand, iconic brand and it’s a great opportunity for somebody.”

After ASU’s win over West Virginia on Nov. 15, he made clear the responsibility he feels to continue pushing for resources.

In the midst a chaotic arms race in college football, the Michigan interest could end up serving as the leverage he needed to at least partially even the playing field.

Asked if he thinks he has the resources he needs now, Dillingham called it an impossible question.

“That changes everyday. We could have everything we need today, we could be $10 million short tomorrow. … I will say I believe the university is fighting, scratching and clawing to stay not just competitive but try to stay a program that can compete for championships.”

He’s tried to stay as detached from contract talk or other coaching job talk as much as possible to let the agent handle that so the coach can focus on coaching.

The one exception, according to him, being an undisclosed athletic director who Dillingham says wouldn’t stop calling, so he had to pick up and say “that’s not something for me.”

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