What does it mean to truly coach where your heart is? For Kenny Dillingham, the Arizona State head coach and proud alum, it’s about more than trophies and big-chunky paychecks. It’s about building something that lasts—a legacy tied to the very place he grew up. There’s no bigger flex than coaching your college football team. Dillingham isn’t chasing a next big gig or massive Curt Cignetti-esque payout; he’s here for one reason: ‘To make the Sun Devils great again.’ But is passion enough to turn the Sun Devils into a dynasty?

On Nov 27, Kenny Dillingham joined ESPN‘s ‘College Football Show’ and didn’t hold back about what this season has meant to him and his family. When asked about coaching at his alma mater, his response was as heartfelt as it gets. “Yeah, it’s everything,” and continued, “Most guys, when you’re at a job, you’re hoping you succeed to get the next job….. get fired—you know, you get a lot of money, and you move on. I want to live here. I want to be here….because it’s not just about winning—you want your guys to have success. You want to live here forever.” Man, Dillingham’s not just building a team—he’s building a home, pouring everything into a legacy that lasts.

That’s not your typical coach speak. Dillingham doesn’t just want success for himself; he wants to make ASU alumni proud. He made that clear when he said, “As an alum of the university, you want to make the other alumni proud. It’s just—it’s a lot deeper than just coaching football. It’s something I’ve been passionate about since I was a little boy.” In a world where college coaches bolt for the next big checker faster than a quarterback’s pigskin release, Dillingham’s loyalty is a rare thing. But is loyalty enough to build a powerhouse?

Kenny Dillingham’s ASU era

Dillingham is proving that passion paired with action is all you need to turn dreams into reality. He’s living in that dream for the Sun Devils. I mean, if we went to investigate his track record, it would be as clean as their white home-away jersey. Just last year, the Sun Devils were mid at best, averaging 17 points and 330 yards per game while stumbling to a 3-9 finish. Fast forward to 2024, and they’re dropping 30 points a game and racking up nearly 400 yards on average.

The Sun Devils aren’t just good—they’re legit contenders for real. Sitting at 9-2, ASU leads the Big 12 and is officially on everyone’s watchlist. ESPN’s Greg McElroy, who has been hyping the squad, didn’t hold back: “They’re a team you don’t want to play here down the stretch.” He gave shout-outs to game-changers like running back-touchdown machine Cam Skattebo, quarterback Sam Leavitt, and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who’ve turned ASU into a legitimate threat to any defense in the nation.

This turnaround isn’t just about numbers; it’s about culture. Dillingham has brought life back into a program that looked lost. He’s the right guy to hold the ASU’s trident. For now, the Sun Devils’ faithful can sit back and enjoy the ride of their lifetime, knowing their coach ain’t going anywhere. After all, how many head coaches can say, “I want to live here forever” and actually mean it?