Kenny Dillingham is resurrecting ASU football in Tempe

Tempe, Ariz. – Arizona State football had finished 3-9, and fired its head coach midseason two years ago. It was at one of the lowest points in program history. The Sun Devils brought ASU alum and current head coach Kenny Dillingham back to Tempe. He’s been exactly what ASU football needed to bring the team back to life.

In Dillingham’s first season, he dealt with the roster of the previous regime and many injuries. ASU won just three games for the second straight season. However, in his second season, the Sun Devils have already surpassed their win total from last year, and you can tell the change in culture.

Kenny Dillingham believes in his players

ASU is 5-1 with six conference games left. The Sun Devils need one more win to become bowl-eligible and currently rank No. 5 in the Big 12. ASU was picked to finish last this season in the new conference.

Following the Sun Devils’ last two wins, Dillingham’s postgame interviews have been all the evidence needed to show the joy and belief he is bringing back to Sun Devil football. After ASU’s win over Kansas, Dillingham and redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt shared a heartwarming interview showing the genuine enjoyment they each had in working together.

“That moment right there is just natural. There’s no fake about it on either side,” Dillingham said. “It’s just the culture we’re trying to build here is, you know, you do things for each other.”

Leavitt transferred to ASU and competed for the starting job against fellow redshirt freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada. Soon after, Rashada transferred to Georgia, and Leavitt ended up winning the job. The young quarterback’s effort and passion for the game was praised by Dillingham.

The belief within each other is evident. Leavitt believes in Dillingham’s vision for ASU football, and Dillingham believes Leavitt is the guy to deliver it.

Against Kansas, Leavitt drove the Sun Devils 75 yards in 1:48 for a touchdown to win the game. The emotions postgame showed the sheer joy from the two knowing how big that drive was for the game and more importantly this season.

Then, Friday night, ASU pulled off its biggest win in Dillingham’s tenure so far. Dillingham’s postgame interview of pure emotion has gone viral since the Sun Devils’ 27-19 win over Utah.

https://x.com/TaylorLewan77/status/1845155739029078381

Building a culture for success

In this day and age, in college football, NIL is so prevalent. Keeping players for two or three years, let alone four years, is less and less common. ASU hasn’t had the NIL resources to pay players as much as many of the top schools in college football. But Dillingham has said the new leadership has made commitments to him to move in the right direction with funds.

Dillingham has put an emphasis on bringing guys to ASU who want to be here to play football and grow with the guys around them. The Sun Devils’ leaders have shown that through their love and appreciation for their teammates and coaches.

Leavitt recently announced a partnership with Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers, and part of that deal was a $50 gift card to the local restaurant for each of his teammates.

Senior running back Cam Skattebo is the motor of ASU’s offense. However, Dillingham pointed out the Sun Devils are 4-0 when Skattebo is on the kickoff team. It may seem like a little thing, but the leader’s willingness and desire to play in all facets of the game show the rest of the team what’s expected and what it means to be a team player.

“That kickoff play is going to get him drafted. When a scout and when a team sees a running back add versatility in more ways than just being a running back, and they see his toughness, they see his competitive drive; all of that stuff adds up to help you get drafted, to help you have personal success along with team success,” Dillingham said. “It’s funny that most things you do that help the team actually help you personally as well. But you get so distracted by what the world wants you to be personally that you lose focus. People are drafting players to join a team; they’re not drafting players to play singles tennis.”

The ASU alum is in his second season as head coach, and it’s evident the culture he wants is brewing. Grit and togetherness have led to ASU’s 5-1 start and the belief they can compete against anyone in the Big 12.

Culture of good character begins with its leader

Dillingham may not have been a star athlete in college. He may not be the most intimidating guy. But he has heart and is genuine with his players. The young head coach worked his way up from the high school level and is living his dream of coaching at his alma mater.

“I’m a goofy little guy who didn’t play college football. If I don’t act the way that I am, everybody’s going to see right through it, and it’s not going to work anyway. So I better just be genuinely who I am all the time,” Dillingham said. “It may not be the model of what success looks like in college. But, I do believe it’s the only way that I can have success, and we can have success, is if the person you know steering the boat believes and is genuine to who they are.”

The way Dillingham treats and approaches his players every day is the reason they trust and believe in him. He’s not going to sell something he can’t produce. Monday, he described a visit with Utah’s freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson during recruitment.

“He was one of our top guys, I played chess with him. I beat him here, and then he beat me on chess.com so he got me back,” Dillingham said. “I shouldn’t have beat him. He should’ve beat me. He’s really good actually. He’s a smart guy, he’s savvy, he’s confident.”

This is a short, silly interaction, but it shows the joy and genuine side of a coach who didn’t even get Wilson to come to ASU. When you mix that with intelligence and diligence in detail, along with the respect he has for his players, you can see how he gains their respect and trust as a coach.

For example, Dillingham met with senior receiver Malik McClain and they decided McClain would redshirt the rest of the 2024 season. McClain is a talented receiver who is still learning the playbook and getting comfortable in the ASU system. This puts stress on the Sun Devils’ receiver depth, but it allows McClain to maximize his final year of college ball next season, to set himself up the best going forward.

It may seem minuscule, but giving players a voice and working with them can go a long way. Dillingham has worked with many great college football minds, but every coach has to find their own way to operate. In his second season at the helm, Dillingham looks to be finding his stride and building a culture that will translate to success in Tempe.

ASU holds a 5-1 record coming off a field-rushing win over Utah. The Sun Devils have six games remaining, and two are against current top 20 teams.

Leading into ASU’s game against Utah, Dillingham said it would be a great measuring stick of the physicality of his team. Now, the Sun Devils must sustain that physicality and intensity going forward.

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