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Will Kenny Dillingham Leave His Family In Arizona? Sun Devils’ Empty Pockets Create Michigan Dilemma

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Kenny Dillingham Arizona State Spring Practice Public

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Will Kenny Dillingham be the head football coach at Arizona State in 2026? Michigan could have some say in that answer.

The Wolverines are reportedly in pursuit following the firing of Sherrone Moore. Dillingham has expressed his happiness in Tempe. Money could sway his decision.

Dillingham has been with his current program for three seasons. His alma mater provided him with his first head coaching opportunity.

He’s done nothing but win since the start of Year 2. The Sun Devils made an improbable run to the College Football Playoff in 2024 where they nearly knocked off Texas.

While the team took a small step back in terms of wins and losses in 2025, it still posted a respectable 8-4 overall mark.

That success has Dillingham’s name trending for a number of big-time openings. Michigan is the most recent.

Kenny Dillingham denied interest in a new gig.

Despite being targeted, the coach has remained adamant on his desire to stay in his current role. He intends to be an Arizona State lifer.

That doesn’t seem to have changed with the Michigan job opening up. He emotionally rejected the Wolverines during a media appearance.

Dillingham was born in Phoenix. His family resides in the area. His sister is his next-door neighbor. His parents live down the road.

He does not want to leave his family in Arizona. There are some job opportunities that would likely make him think about that possibility. Is Michigan one of them?

Dillingham intended to shut down the outside noise with his response to the recent rumors. His emotions had a reverse effect.

Is the Arizona State football coach torn?

There are many that believe the reaction was a result of indecision.

Arizona State is clearly near and dear to Kenny Dillingham. The school, however, cannot match the resources that Michigan can provide.

The Wolverines are one of the nation’s top spenders in terms of NIL. Donors are reportedly ready to go all-in in their support of a Dillingham-led program.

Arizona State is not in the same financial situation. Here was Dillingham’s latest view of his own program’s current NIL budget.

“We’ve got a long way to go for me to be able to go on social media and be able to say, ‘Hey, we’re in a great place to go get anybody we want and do anything we want from a financial standpoint.”

-Kenny Dillingham

ASU currently pays $100,000 less than conference rivals per player in NIL money. It’s something the coach has touched on in the past. While the school has made an effort to prioritize football, there’s only so much money to go around.

It certainly played a role in starting QB Sam Leavitt’s decision to enter the portal at season’s end. It played a part in past players’ transfer exits last offseason.

Michigan can offer stability. It can also provide Dillingham a significant salary bump to coach in one of college football’s premiere leagues alongside that recruiting budget.

Dillingham is currently making $5.8 million each year with the Sun Devils. While they are working on an extension to keep the coach put, UM should be able to match any offer Arizona State puts on the table.

Would it be enough to leave his family? We’ll soon find out.

Kenny Dillingham denies having any intentions of leaving Tempe. His emotional rejection of Michigan could suggest otherwise.

The coach will have a decision to make if offered by the Wolverines.