ASU’s Marcus Arroyo returns to play-calling to allow Kenny Dillingham to ‘be a head coach again’

TEMPE — Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo was back to calling plays at practice Tuesday, returning to the role after head coach Kenny Dillingham had called plays for the previous five games.

The switch-up will allow for Dillingham to spend more time monitoring the bigger picture of the team, and he was seen working closely with the defense for much of Tuesday’s practice.

“I just wanted to be able to be a head coach again,” Dillingham said after practice. “I want to be able to have balance. I want to make sure our team has the one singular-minded focus and passion and energy. … Marcus has been helping out all along, and he’s a phenomenal coach.

“I just think I’m better suited to be a head football coach.”

He added it may have been a selfish decision to take back play-calling in the first place.

Dillingham had previously stated there were issues with the defense being on the same page, so the head coach returning to more of an overseer role could benefit the unit from that standpoint.

Arroyo said it’s been a minimal change so far because he is in constant communication with Dillingham and quarterback Cutter Boley; the three are working together in one of their offices “all the time,” he said.

Arroyo spent all of the 2024 season and the 2025 regular season calling plays before Dillingham took over for the Sun Bowl.

“Our communication’s been exactly the same,” Arroyo said. “I’ve had the mic ready in his ear during practice for however long we’ve been doing this and during games as well, and nothing changes. We just got to get a lot better.”

The offense has struggled to find consistent footing since the season opener against Morgan State, as Dillingham has mentioned a lack of rhythm for Boley and the offense multiple times.

ASU scored 20, 24 and 19 points, respectively, in the three games since putting up 70 on the FCS opponent in Week 1.

The Sun Devils will have a chance to test the decision against Hawaii on Saturday before traveling to Lubbock to face No. 11 Texas Tech the following week.

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