Kenny Dillingham from ASU to become one of the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12

Kenny Dillingham’s dedication to Arizona State was acknowledged just before their important game.

In an article by ESPN on Tuesday, it was reported that the head coach agreed to a five-year extension with Arizona State, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12. The extension also opens up a possibility for him to extend his contract to 10 seasons.

Dillingham, an Arizona State alum, successfully led his alma mater to win the Big 12 title in 2024, despite being predicted to finish last in the preseason media poll. This accomplishment earned them a bye in the College Football Playoff before facing Texas in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.

By orchestrating a six-game winning streak, Dillingham guided Arizona State to its first-ever CFP appearance. He strategically recruited players like quarterback Sam Leavitt and utilized talents like running back Cam Skattebo, who earned a fifth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy vote.

With 11 wins, Arizona State achieved its highest win total since 1996, the same year they won the Pac-10 title. Dillingham’s extension sets up Arizona State for continued success in the Big 12.

Before the extension, Dillingham had a base salary of $4.05 million, but his bonus earnings have exceeded $2.5 million due to their exceptional season. He has also donated a significant portion of his bonus money to his support staff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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