As rumors swirl over candidates for Michigan’s open head coaching job, Kenny Dillingham is offering up nothing but praise for the maize and blue.
And one key phrase.
“That’s cool, I guess,” Dillingham, in his third season at Arizona State, told reporters Saturday in Tempe. Dillingham, 35, is believed to be on the short list of candidates Michigan has been circled in on since abruptly firing Sherrone Moore on Wednesday. He says he hasn’t spoken to Michigan directly, but seemed to leave open the idea of at least listening to overtures.
“I mean, that’s one of the best programs in the country,” Dillingham said. “It’s one of the best logos in the country. I think everyone can agree there.
“In today’s era, I think it’s one of the best jobs in the country, and I think everyone can attest to that.”
Still, Dillingham said, that doesn’t change the way he feels about Arizona State. A Phoenix native, he went to high school in Scottsdale and attended ASU, where he later joined the football team as an offensive assistant. He parlayed that opportunity into a fast-rising coaching career, first as an assistant at Memphis, moving up the ladder from graduate assistant to offensive coordinator in three years, then offensive coordinator at Auburn, Florida State and Oregon.
Dillingham returned to his alma mater in 2023 as head coach, taking the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff in 2024 and eight-win season this year.
“That doesn’t change how I feel about here,” Dillingham said, of the Michigan rumors. “That doesn’t change that my parents live three doors down. That doesn’t change that my sister is my neighbor. That doesn’t change that my son’s best friend is my sister’s daughter. None of that changes.
“But it is one of the best jobs in America. It’s an unbelievable brand — an iconic brand — and a great opportunity for somebody.”
Michigan didn’t expect to be in this spot, yet it is after terminating Moore, 39, earlier this week for cause, claiming the second-year head coach violated school policy by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer. Hours after Moore was let go, the ex-Michigan coach was the subject of a police investigation at the home of the female staffer, arrested by authorities and later charged with third-degree home invasion, stalking and breaking into the home.
Michigan has since launched a search for its next head coach, with Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Washington’s Jedd Fisch also believed to be targets along with Dillingham, among others.
As for Dillingham, who is set to make $6 million in 2026, reports emerged Saturday out of Tempe that an amended contract and pay raise are on the table from Arizona State. He says he hasn’t signed anything yet, and remains focused on preparing his team to play Duke in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
“Do I think the buy-in from the university … are they doing everything? Are they trying to win? Are they trying to do this? This is a crazy era of college football,” Dillingham said. “But it’s at no fault … it’s not anybody’s fault, the era we’re in.
“I will say, I believe the university is fighting, scratching, clawing, to stay not just competitive but above a program that can compete for championships.”
