Kenny Dillingham is staying in Tempe.
Amid rumors of his departure during a chaotic head coaching cycle in college football, all doubt was put to rest Saturday morning as the Sun Devils' head coach signed an extension that will see his annual salary increase to $7.5 million, according to the Associated Press.
In three seasons coaching at his alma mater, which he called "home" in his introductory press conference in 2022, Dillingham has taken the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and Peach Bowl appearance.
Finishing the 2024 season with an 11-3 record, Dillingham increased his stock by coaching ASU to one of its best seasons in years.
2024 marked ASU's first 10-win season since 2014, first conference championship game appearance since 2013 and first conference championship since 2007.
What stands out about the investment ASU put into its coaching staff isn't just money for Dillingham, but an increase to $11 million in the salary pool for assistant coaches. Dillingham was waiting for that investment.
"What I was fighting for was that long-term commitment to our staff, to the program and to the commitment to try to be competitive in this crazy world," Dillingham said after his contract extension was announced per Sun Devil Source. "Our university has stepped up big time and they were going to step up this year as well."
Through the success Dillingham brought to the Sun Devils in his three seasons, athletic director Graham Rossini knew ASU had its guy.
"This was always the goal. Secure generational leadership right here at ASU," Rossini said in a statement per Chris Karpman on X. "We have the right coach and want him to have the tools to do his job in a way that keeps building excitement, connection and winning at ASU. Not only is the Valley activated, but the Sun Devils are about to ignite!"
With contract drama put into the rearview mirror for ASU, Dillingham now has the opportunity to look ahead and finish the season strong.
After the Sun Devils finished the 2025 regular season with an 8-4 record, Kenny Dillingham will lead ASU to El Paso, Texas, to take on ACC Champion Duke in the Sun Bowl.
Edited by Niall Rosenberg, Sophia Braccio and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at aswift10@asu.edu and follow @alexswiftsports on X.
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