In just his second season at the helm of the Arizona State Sun Devils, Dillingham orchestrated one of the most impressive program revivals in recent college football memory. From a team that finished 3–9 in his inaugural season, the Sun Devils roared back to national relevance in 2025, finishing the regular season 10–2 and securing a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The historic resurgence earned Dillingham widespread praise from peers, media, and fans—and now, the prestigious honor of being named National Coach of the Year.
This recognition is not only a testament to Dillingham’s tactical brilliance and ability to inspire but also a tribute to his deep-rooted connection to the Sun Devil program and the state of Arizona.
The Road to Redemption
Few outside of Tempe expected Arizona State to mount such a dramatic comeback. After enduring a tumultuous 2023 and a rebuilding 2024 season, the Sun Devils were largely overlooked in preseason polls and dismissed as a non-factor in a competitive Pac-12. Yet, behind closed doors, Dillingham and his staff had been laying the foundation for something much greater.
Dillingham, a native of Phoenix and ASU alum, brought an infectious energy, a deep understanding of the culture, and a relentless recruiting approach that started paying off quickly. He leaned heavily into his experience as an offensive coordinator at Oregon, Auburn, and Florida State, bringing in a modern, up-tempo scheme that energized both players and fans.
But more than Xs and Os, Dillingham’s leadership galvanized the program. He fostered a family-like culture, emphasized player development, and instilled accountability at every level. The result? A locker room that believed, a team that refused to quit, and a fanbase that rallied around its hometown coach.
Signature Wins That Turned Heads
The 2025 campaign was filled with statement victories that helped cement Dillingham’s Coach of the Year candidacy.
It began in Week 1 with a thrilling upset over then-No. 14 Texas Tech, signaling that Arizona State would be no pushover. By Week 4, the Sun Devils had stunned the college football world again by toppling powerhouse USC in a dramatic 31–28 victory at Sun Devil Stadium, where the home crowd stormed the field in euphoric celebration.
Dillingham’s squad followed that up with a gritty road win over Utah and a dominant performance against rival Arizona in the Territorial Cup, reclaiming the coveted trophy in front of a sea of maroon and gold faithful.
By the end of the regular season, ASU’s 10–2 mark was their best since 2013 and included victories over four ranked opponents. The Sun Devils found themselves ranked No. 11 nationally heading into the Pac-12 title game—a stunning ascent for a team that had been picked to finish near the bottom of the conference.
Player Development and Culture Change
One of the hallmarks of Dillingham’s success was his ability to develop talent across the roster. Under his guidance, redshirt sophomore quarterback Jaden Rashada blossomed into one of the top passers in the conference, throwing for over 3,600 yards with 28 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Rashada credited Dillingham’s mentorship and system with unlocking his potential.
The Sun Devil defense, once a liability, also made enormous strides. Linebacker Tre Brown earned All-American honors, while freshman cornerback Eli Moreno became one of the breakout stars of the season, nabbing five interceptions and returning two for touchdowns.
Dillingham’s decision to revamp the strength and conditioning program paid immediate dividends. ASU looked faster, tougher, and more disciplined in all phases of the game. More importantly, the team carried itself with a newfound confidence that mirrored their head coach’s swagger.
“He made us believe in ourselves,” said senior wide receiver Elijhah Badger. “Coach Dillingham didn’t just talk about winning—he showed us how to win, how to prepare, and how to hold each other accountable. We played for him, for each other, and for this school.”
Recruiting Momentum
Even before being named Coach of the Year, Dillingham’s recruiting prowess had become a major storyline in Tempe. He emphasized keeping in-state talent at home and cultivated strong relationships with high school coaches across Arizona.
The 2025 recruiting class, ranked 12th nationally, featured four blue-chip prospects from Arizona, including five-star edge rusher Noah Delgado and elite offensive tackle Grant Thomas. That momentum has already carried into the 2026 cycle, where ASU currently sits in the top 10 of early rankings.
“Kids want to be part of what we’re building here,” Dillingham said in December. “We’re showing that Arizona State can compete with anyone, and we’re not done yet.”
A Coach of the People
What made Dillingham’s Coach of the Year honor even more meaningful is how beloved he’s become within the ASU community. Whether attending student events, surprising fans at tailgates, or engaging alumni with heartfelt speeches, Dillingham has embraced his role with authenticity.
He restored pride in the program and gave long-suffering fans a reason to dream again. Sun Devil Stadium saw its largest average attendance in over a decade, and merchandise sales soared.
“Coach Dillingham is one of us,” said ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson. “He represents everything that’s great about this university—hard work, passion, resilience, and heart. We couldn’t be more proud to have him leading our football program.”
National Recognition
The announcement of Dillingham’s Coach of the Year award was met with widespread acclaim across the college football landscape. Analysts on ESPN, Fox Sports, and The Athletic lauded his quick turnaround, leadership style, and vision for sustained success.
“What Kenny Dillingham has done at Arizona State is nothing short of miraculous,” said Kirk Herbstreit. “To go from the basement of the Pac-12 to contending for a conference championship in just one year shows how special a coach he is.”
Dillingham beat out several high-profile candidates for the award, including Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, Florida State’s Mike Norvell, and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian. But it was the depth of ASU’s turnaround, the adversity they overcame, and the culture shift he initiated that ultimately tipped the scales in his favor.
Looking Ahead
With his Coach of the Year honor in hand, Dillingham is focused not on celebration but on sustainability. He’s already begun preparing for spring ball, scouting portal additions, and reinforcing the team’s mentality.
“There’s still work to do,” Dillingham said at the award press conference. “This award belongs to our players, our staff, our fans. It’s validation that we’re on the right track, but it’s not the finish line. We want to win championships here.”
Indeed, the bar has been raised in Tempe. With a young roster returning and a wave of top-tier recruits on the way, expectations will be sky-high in 2026.
And perhaps for the first time in decades, those expectations feel justified.
Legacy in the Making
At just 35 years old, Kenny Dillingham is the youngest head coach to win the National Coach of the Year award in over 30 years. Yet, despite his youth, his vision and maturity have been unmistakable.
His journey—from a high school coach in Scottsdale to an ASU grad assistant to the top coaching honor in the sport—is a story that resonates deeply with the ASU faithful and college football at large.
“I grew up watching ASU games,” Dillingham said emotionally. “To now be in this position, representing the school I love, is beyond a dream come true. I just want to make Sun Devil Nation proud.”
With Kenny Dillingham at the helm, Arizona State football isn’t just back—it’s building toward something special. And as the confetti settles and the Coach of the Year trophy gleams under the Tempe sun, one thing is crystal clear.