The clock eventually strikes midnight in every Cinderella story. Fairytales aren’t based on truth. ‘And they lived happily ever after.’ That just doesn’t happen, does it? Every ounce of fairy dust is countered with an antidote of reality. Every underdog gets found out eventually. However, one ‘Cinderella’ in the College Football realm is trying to keep its fairytale 2024 to persevere.

Prosperity isn’t linear or perpetual. If you’re a good, successful team, that hardly means you’ll remain that way forever. CFB programs go through this all the time. Even the Michigans and FSUs of this world aren’t averse to a blip. The opposite is also true. So when a flailing program manages to muster a great season it’s been yearning for, they wish to do everything and more to keep this going. Knowing full well, from experience, that prosperity can vanquish at any time.

The ASU Sun Devils are living through this at this very time. A fairytale season, a flailing program’s awakening. Now, they’re seeking to elongate their run. Making a late charge into the CFP, as Big 12 champion no less, was commendable enough. A coach who went 3-9 the previous season will typically rest on his laurels once he’s achieved that much. Kenny Dillingham isn’t your typical CFB coach, though. He and his team showed up to the Peach Bowl and captivated the country. ASU channeled their inner David and almost slayed Texas’ Goliath. Kenny Dillingham is carrying all this garnered momentum into the offseason.

The biggest proponent of Dillingham’s coaching is how bought-in the players are to him. This is evident by their very tangible vote of confidence. Forget saying you’re riding with a coach; actually do it. Arizona State has managed to retain as many as “50 players” from their 2024 roster. ASU insider Richie Bradshaw shared this on the ‘Locked On College Football’ podcast, emphasizing the significance of keeping “17 of 22 starters” and key rotational players who saw major game time. “They’re looking to build on momentum,” Bradshaw said, adding that success hinges on “player retention, staff retention, and making the right offseason moves to fill gaps.”

Take quarterback Cam Skattebo, for instance. While his production needs replacing (thanks to the NFL Draft), ASU has brought back nearly every other major contributor. Not only has Kenny Dillingham managed to keep hold of talent in-house, but he’s retooling at a high clip too.

The Big 12 defending champs have onboarded former 5-star cornerback Nyland Green out of the portal. This is a vet who’s traversed across 2 programs, including the Georgia Bulldogs. He’s a National Champion. Green’s move to ASU is a sign that this Cinderella story may indeed have a sequel, coming to a Bowl near you.

ASU fans are in awe of the job Kenny Dillingham has done within 2 seasons

Naturally, the aforementioned Richie Bradshaw is buzzing about what the future entails for his team. “There’s just a lot to be excited about. And the biggest thing is that retention [factor],” he said. For instance, 4 of the 5 core linebackers for Kenny Dillingham last season are returning. In a sport where change is quite literally the only constant and players have a cap on their tenures, this level of continuity can only bode well. These players are developing together. Time allows them to pick up on each other’s tendencies and nuances. Bradshaw hinted at this when talking about the undisputed No. 1 guy on offense post-Skattebo.

“You’ve got high upside players, none more than Sam Leavitt,” said Bradshaw. QB1 Leavitt heads into his 2nd season under center, after showing immense promise as a redshirt freshman. Bradshaw proceeded to say, “I feel like the best is yet to come, as [Leavitt] continues to grow and learn. In the same offense, with his same number one receiver.” This reiterates the importance of continuity. “Kenny Dillingham wanted to establish a culture. He’s begun doing that.” Leavitt took less money than he was valued at on the open market to return to ASU. 

Richie Bradshaw aptly summed up the feeling in and around campus in the wake of these 50 retentions. “The bonds, the brotherhood that [players have] built together…It’s something that is able to help them be consistent. [It’s]something that is retaining these guys. Because there is something here, and it’s worth staying for. Because these are my brothers, and I want to go to war for my brothers,” he said resoundingly.

Kenny Dillingham sure is building something special out there, and he’s got everybody rallying behind him. It’ll be fascinating to see whether the Sun Devils were a flash in the pan, a “fairytale.” Or if they’re for real.