Key Highlights
- Kenny Dillingham expresses satisfaction with improved financial backing from the university for the football program.
- The 2025 season has seen consistent home crowd support and strong performance on the field.
- Dillingham aims to attract more business sponsorships and NIL activations for player branding.
- Starting in 2026, the transfer portal window will be shortened to just 15 days during January.
Arizona State Sun Devils’ Coach Kenny Dillingham Expresses Content with Improved Financial Support
Kenny Dillingham, head coach of Arizona State University’s football team, expressed satisfaction following a meeting on November 17, 2025, during which the university committed to bolstering financial support for both the athletic department and his program. “I left that meeting knowing that the university was going to be very supportive of the football program and that we’re going to have the backing of the university to be a competitive and successful program,” Dillingham said.
Consistent Home Crowd Support
The Sun Devils’ home games in 2025 have seen remarkable support from fans, with every game this season sold out. This has not only boosted morale but also increased visibility for the team on local radio and beyond. “Our casual fans are unbelievable; we’ve sold out every game. Are you kidding?” Dillingham laughed. “The sold-out crowds, it’s loud, people on the radio are talking about us, we’re activating the 99%, this year has been remarkable from that perspective.”
Strategic Focus on Business Sponsorships
Dillingham recognizes the importance of business sponsorships in building the program’s revenue stream. “There’s a local business here that I truly believe has elevated their platform by naming food items after our players, and they’re now all over potentially,” he noted, without referencing the specific business. Dillingham sees an opportunity for NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) activations to further brand ASU football players.
Burrito Express, a Tempe-based burrito shop since 1995, is cited as a successful example of such sponsorships, with multiple menu items named after current ASU football players. “There’s an opportunity for real NIL here where our players are being branded,” Dillingham explained.
Transfer Portal Changes and Player Retention
The upcoming changes to the transfer portal starting in 2026, which will reduce the window from two sessions of 30 days each to one session of 15 days, running from January 2nd through the 16th, are causing some mixed feelings among coaches. “I’ll tell you after if I like it or not, I know it’s gonna be chaotic,” Dillingham admitted. However, he believes the shortened window will provide time to ensure players make informed decisions about their future.
The coach is confident that the university will continue to support player compensation in the portal but emphasizes his preference for retaining talented athletes who want to stay at ASU. “I’m very big on ‘What do you want?’” Dillingham stated. “I want people who want to be here. If a kid on our team doesn’t want to be here, he shouldn’t be here.
This isn’t a hostage situation, and I don’t ever want that to be.”
Despite the challenges of college football’s fast-paced schedule, Dillingham remains focused on building a long-term program rather than just managing for the next few games or seasons. “I don’t sleep as much. You just gotta keep going, there’s not much downtime,” he noted. “My job is to build a program, not a team, and my job is to coach the team, but I’m trying to build a program.”
The Sun Devils’ recent success, particularly quarterback Jeff Sims’ performances in key games, underscores Dillingham’s dedication to player development and retention. As the 2025 season comes to an end with the Arizona game as the final regular-season matchup at home, fans and supporters eagerly await what the future holds for this dynamic football program.
