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Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham did not hold back when talking about the difficulties surrounding the new era of NIL in college football.
In fact, he was heard ripping into coaches running away from the sport as times get tough. Instead of backing down, Dillingham is embracing the change.
Dillingham took over in Tempe ahead of the 2023 season, replacing the fired Herm Edwards. He immediately turned his attention to name, image, and likeness in an attempt to quickly turn around the struggling program.
The coach landed a $1M donation from one of Arizona State’s top boosters, which he claims saved the ’23 season.
“We wouldn’t have a football team without [that gift].”
NIL has added another layer to recruiting with high school athletes in many cases going to the highest bidder. When combined with the transfer portal, that job becomes even more difficult as tampering runs rampant behind the scenes.
Unhappy with the direction the sport is headed, many are jumping ship.
College football coaches are quickly leaving for the NFL, a trend that national media members don’t see changing.
“Without boundaries and regulations that make sense, coaches that get real opportunities in the NFL will be gone,” Kirk Herbstreit said earlier this offseason. “The sport is spiraling out of control.”
Kenny Dillingham doesn’t see it that way.
He’s been quick to blast those backing down from the challenge. Instead of saying it’s becoming too hard, he continues to be appreciative of his opportunity at Arizona State – no matter what difficulties he might face!
“I literally spent nine years of my life doing anything to become a coffee boy,” he said on AZ Sports. “Don’t give me the, ‘Oh, it’s too hard to be a coach right now.’ Yeah, it’s hard. Then quit.
.@KennyDillingham on @AZSports will not complain about the difficulties of being a CFB coach today:
“I literally spent nine years of my life doing anything to become a coffee boy. So, don’t give me the ‘Oh, it’s hard to be a coach right now.’ Yeah, it’s hard. Then quit.”
— Sarah Kezele 🌵 (@SarahKezele) February 21, 2024
Dillingham isn’t backing away from the changing landscape of college football. He’s embracing it!
Expect him to use that motivation this offseason as he gears up for Year 2 with Arizona State. His Sun Devils went 3-9 in his debut campaign.
He’ll look to improve upon that output as the program transitions into the Big XII in 2024.