AD Graham Rossini: ASU in fluid talks on Kenny Dillingham’s contract amid Michigan interest

Arizona State and head football coach Kenny Dillingham’s camp continue to have “fluid, active and healthy conversation” regarding his contract, according to athletic director Graham Rossini.

Rossini joined Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Thursday amidst uncertainty regarding Dillingham’s future with his alma mater and Michigan’s ongoing coaching search.

“I’m of the many thousands of people that can agree Kenny Dillingham is the right leader for our football program,” Rossini said. “Leadership matters. We have tremendous leadership in place with coach. So we’re working through it. We’re working through some details, and it’s an exciting moment for our program.”

"As you're designing something long-term, the little details become the important part of the big moments."

ASU's Graham Rossini told @BurnsAndGambo the university is working through details with head football coach Kenny Dillingham.

The AD Update is presented by America… pic.twitter.com/5V7MOeIuKr

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 18, 2025

Rossini said he would not get into specifics with the negotiations, but he mentioned there being “lots of things to solidify,” as coaches agree to long-term contracts in a sport with a changing landscape.

Dillingham was extended in January through 2029, and he had spoken many times on the benefits of working his dream job in his hometown. At the same time, Michigan, he said, is one of the best jobs in the country. He did not shut down rumors on Tuesday, instead saying his job was to do what he can for the people “in the foxhole” with him, like his coaches.

Kenny Dillingham was asked Tuesday if he could help Arizona State fans worry less about Michigan's interest in him as his agent works on a new contract with ASU:

"I think my job is to try to do whatever I can for the people who are with me — the people who are in the foxhole,… pic.twitter.com/yIURcgqmJB

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 16, 2025

The transfer portal opens on Jan. 2, but Rossini said getting a deal done right takes priority over doing it quickly.

“My perspective has been all along as you’re designing something long-term, the little details become the most important part,” Rossini said. “We’ve gotta get it right and we’ve gotta secure what we’ve been building. … That doesn’t mean we’re recklessly slow or we’re irresponsible, but we’re committed to getting it right. I also understand the world that we live in, and I understand it’s a great item of discussion and debate and anxiety for people. … I just hope the fanbase is sensing that there’s a really good track record recently that reflects confidence in how we’re approaching athletics.”

NIL (name, image and likeness) demands continue to evolve, and having the resources to build something great is one of many possible elements to a decision.

Rossini ensured that he and Dillingham have an open dialogue about resources, saying ASU is on the cusp of building “something incredible” with university support, coming off a season in which every home football game was a sellout and with businesses aligning themselves with the program.

But, is it enough?

“My job as the AD is to give our coaches the tools to do their job at the highest possible level,” Rossini said. “And so for me in our department, we’re constantly thinking about how do we find the tools for our coaches to lead at the highest possible level? College sports is very, very complicated right now. We tried to simplify it. Our coaches are the most important hires that we make. They’re leading our teams. They’re energizing our fanbase every day. It’s my job and the department’s job to give coaches the tools that they need.”

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