Kenny Dillingham continues to be one of the most imaginative head coaches in college football. Arizona State, unlike many other programs across the country, will open up its spring practice period to the public in an effort to keep his players focused and humble.
His unique approach to the sport brings an added energy to the program.
Dillingham took over as head coach at his alma mater just two years ago. The Sun Devils won 11 games during the 2024 college football season for the first time in 1996 and won the Big 12 Championship to clinch their first-ever automatic bid to the Playoff. Not bad for year two.
Countless coaches have found success earlier in their tenures only for the bottom to fall out right away. It is hard to win. It is even harder to win year after year after year.
In an effort to keep his players humble, Dillingham intentionally tortured them at the first day of spring practice. He played only one song on repeat for the entire afternoon: ‘We Are The Champions’ by Queen.
While that may seem counterintuitive, because Arizona State is the reigning conference champion, the goal was to make it become monotonous. And it worked. Starting quarterback Sam Leavitt never wants to hear Queen’s iconic victory song ever again— until it is earned.
With the first week of spring ball coming to an end, Kenny Dillingham is deploying another interesting strategy over the weekend. Practice will be open to the public on Saturdays.
This is a stark contrast to a large number of other college football programs. Not even the media is allowed to watch practice at Florida State, let alone fans!
Dillingham thinks it will hold his players accountable.
Things are getting filmed! Have a day off. Lose in a one-on-one rep. It’s going on social media!
You can’t just take a day off, because everybody’s going to see it. You can’t just sit out a rep.
And in today’s day and age, you need as many things that can motivate guys. Guys gotta know there’s pressure alway on them during practice. Practice cannot become complacent. It has to be like a game.
So having 1,000 fans out here on the field, watching and cheering, it just gets the energy level up, it puts the pressure on a little bit. [Especially for] some of the younger guys.
It’s what we’re trying to create every day in practice, just a little bit on steroids.
— Kenny Dillingham
I love this. To spend two weeks behind closed doors in an echo chamber can lead to stagnancy. Practice, much like We Are The Champions, becomes monotonous. Players go through the motions. It’s just another day.
There is a time and a place for privacy. That happens during the week. To open up the weekend to the public raises the stakes. There is more excitement. There is more energy.
Kenny Dillingham often bucks the trend. He does things his way. And if last year was any indication, it works!