Sports

Kenny Dillingham Gets A Raise After Arizona State Practice Change Draws False Parallel To Michigan

by Last Updated
Kenny Dillingham Michigan Arizona State Raise New Contract Football Practice Moved Time
iStockphoto / © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kenny Dillingham made it abundantly clear back in November that Arizona State is home. However, because of his success in just three college football seasons with the Sun Devils, his name will always be linked to the top head coaching jobs in the country as they become available.

Michigan is latest.

A change to the college football practice schedule in Tempe sparked widespread panic across the Valley on Saturday morning because of all the rumors. It was much ado about nothing.

Kenny Dillingham is getting a raise.

Penn State, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan State, UCLA, LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, and Virginia Tech are some of the biggest name brands in college football. All nine schools (and a few other Power Conference programs) made changes at head coach over the last two months.

Dillingham, who led the Sun Devils to the playoff at 11-2 in just his second year at the helm of his alma mater, was one of the most talked about names for some of those major openings.

The 35-year-old made a very public statement about his desire to stay right where he is because Arizona State is home. That was that.

And then Sherrone Moore got fired on Wednesday.

It did not take long for Dillingham’s name to be attached to the opening at Michigan. His name was at or near the top of most hot boards within the hour. Would he leave “home” for Ann Arbor? Doubtful.

In fact, it was reported on Saturday morning that Dillingham and his current employer are close to a new contract. He’s getting a raise! That seems to be a clear indication of his decision. Arizona State is home.

Arizona State moved the start time of college football practice.

Where there is smoke, there is often fire. There has been a lot of smoke about Kenny Dillingham to the Wolverines but the expected contract amendment pours water directly on the flames.

That did not stop the rumors from swirling on Saturday morning.

Arizona State had practice scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The start time was later pushed back by more than an hour without explanation.

Panic ensued. Was Dillingham getting back late from a trip to Ann Arbor?!

No, he wasn’t. He was in town the entire time. He and his son were spotted at the Fairmount Scottsdale Princess on Friday night. The Sun Devils coaching staff decided on Friday to move Saturday’s practice back by an hour and 45 minutes because there was just no need to practice that early on the weekend.

Dillingham arrived with a big smile on his face and a wave to reporters.

His players were thrilled to see him.

They spent time getting warmed up together.

And then the news broke of the raise. Kenny Dillingham is not going anywhere. Sorry, Michigan.