Kenny Dillingham Reportedly Near Major Career Decision Amid Michigan Rumors
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The eyes of the college football world have been on Ann Arbor, Michigan this week after the Michigan Wolverines decided to fire head coach Sherrone Moore in the midst of his second season at the helm.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that a university investigation found credible evidence of an inappropriate relationship involving a staff member, which led to his termination. Subsequently, Moore was arrested by the police for an alleged assault. He now faces charges of third-degree home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering.
Now, the university is searching for its next head coach for the second time since Jim Harbaugh departed for the NFL after the 2023 national championship season. One of the names mentioned for the job is Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham.
Dillingham has done an impressive job since taking over at his alma mater. Over his three seasons, he has led the team to a 22-16 record, including an outstanding 11-3 record in 2024. During that season, he guided Arizona State to a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. The Sun Devils lost in double overtime to the Texas Longhorns in the CFP quarterfinals. This season did not go as smoothly, but Arizona State still finished with an 8-4 record, despite star quarterback Sam Leavitt missing several games due to injury.
While there has been speculation about Dillingham potentially leaving for Ann Arbor, Chris Karpman from 247Sports’ Sun Devil Source reported that Dillingham and Arizona State are nearing an agreement on new contract terms. Karpman mentioned that the new deal would result in an increase in Dillingham’s annual base compensation.
Dillingham has already secured an automatic raise of $200,000 by winning eight regular-season games. This will increase his base salary for 2025 from $5.8 million to $6 million for next year. Additionally, his contract will automatically roll over for one more year, extending his agreement until Dec. 31, 2030. However, this amount is still significantly lower than what some of the highest earners in college football will make in the coming years.
As Michigan navigates the fallout from another abrupt coaching change, its search continues under intense national scrutiny. For Arizona State, the response has been proactive, signaling stability, confidence and a long-term commitment to the coach who has reshaped the program’s trajectory.
With Dillingham firmly entrenched and compensation set to rise, the Sun Devils appear intent on keeping their momentum intact. Meanwhile, Michigan’s next move will define its direction in a rapidly shifting college football landscape, where continuity has become as valuable as star power.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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